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Gibbs Reflective Cycle Example

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• Undergraduate 1st
• Undergraduate 2:1

Critically reflect on an encounter with a service user in a health care setting

This essay aims to critically reflect on an encounter with a service user in a health care setting. The Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle will be used as this is a popular model of reflection. Reflection is associated with learning from experience. It is viewed as an important approach for professionals who embrace lifelong learning (Jasper, 2013). In general terms, reflective practice is the process of learning through and from an experience or activity to gain new understandings of self and/or practice (Bout et al., 1985; Jasper, 2013). This method is viewed as a way of promoting the personal and professional development of qualified and independent professionals, eventually stimulating both personal and professional growth (Jasper, 2013). Dating back to 1988, the Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle encompasses six stages of reflection which enable the reflector to think through all the phases of an activity or experience (Gibbs, 1998). The model is unique because it includes knowledge, actions, emotions and suggests that experiences are repeated, which is different from Kolb’s reflective model (Kolb, 1984) and thus, the model is wider and a more flexible approach in examining a situation in a critical light to enable future changes (Zeichner and Liston, 1996).

1. Description

The incident I will be reflecting on occurred whilst I was placed on the oncology ward during my first year of qualified nursing. We had an elderly service user on the ward, who had been admitted due to stomach cancer. Upon his arrival, we read his notes which highlighted that he had significant learning difficulties, meaning that he also had problems with verbal communication. The main areas of reflection are how both myself and the other nurses used communication to calm the patient and show compassion, as well as how we adapted our care to address their individual needs. A nurse came onto the ward with three members of the public, who were viewing the ward as part of a job advertising process. When the nurse entered the patients bay, she informed the members of the public that the service users in that bay were currently receiving radiotherapy treatment. Upon hearing the nurse’s words, the service user became overtly distressed and began crying, shrieking and hitting his head backwards against his pillow –it took time; however, another nurse managed to calm him down by talking in a soothing manner.

2. Feelings

Prior to the incident occurring, I was mindful that the nurse was showing the three members of the public around the oncology ward, as part of a job advertising process. At the time of the incident, I had only been working on the oncology ward for six months so still felt slightly unsure of my position within the team. Ultimately, I did not feel confident or experienced enough to deal with this situation independently. I think that my increased level of anxiety meant that I struggled to intervene, however it is still clear that both my colleagues and myself should have intervened more quickly to ensure that the patient was dealt with effectively. Moreover, I was very surprised when the nurse failed to take into consideration the individual needs of the service user during the visit of the ward, as the distress caused to both the service user and the members of the public was very unnecessary.

3. Evaluation

In hindsight, the experience had both good and bad elements which have led to an increased understanding of the service user experience and my role as a nurse practitioner within the oncology team. My role was to give physical examinations and evaluate the service user’s health, prescribe and administer medication, recommend diagnostic and laboratory tests/read the results, manage treatment side effects, and provide support to patients – this includes acting in their best interests. I feel that I did not fulfil the latter responsibility completely. This duty to protect service user’s full confidentiality and ensuring that the nurse who was showing the members of the public around the ward was aware of the service user’s communication difficulties and resulting anxiety was not fulfilled. Our failure to act as a team, by sharing information and stepping in before a situation escalated, shows that there was a low level of group cohesiveness (Rutkowski, Gruder and Romer, 1983).

4. Analysis

According to the Nursing Times Clinical (2004), people with learning difficulties often have a struggle with adapting to new situations, which means that there is a potential for problematic behaviour when dealing with something outside of their comfort zone. Nevertheless, as suggested by the Nursing Times Clinical (2004), healthcare staff should be aware of how to effectively interact with people who have a learning disability and this can be aided through regular and valuable reflection. Prior to admission into the hospital, it is advised that professionals find out about the patient's communication and their likes and dislikes; address any potential fears either through discussion or by allowing the patient to visit the ward to meet the nursing staff (Nursing Times Clinical, 2004). Moreover, the day to day communication towards patients with learning difficulties should involve patient-centred/holistic care in addressing patient needs, which incorporates both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Therefore, professionals should make eye contact, look and listen, allocate more time for the patient, be interactive and communicative, remain patient and in some cases, enable any professionals who may have had experience with people with a learning difficulty to care for the patient (Nursing Times Clinical, 2004).

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MENCAP states that one of the most common problems when accessing healthcare for people with learning disabilities is poor communication (n.d). This can be aided by offering the service user an advocate to communicate on their behalf and by providing information in a variety of ways including visual. They further this with the notion that healthcare professionals should equally value all people, adapt their service so that it meets different needs and understand that each individual will have different needs (MENCAP, n.d). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2015) further this in 'The Code', which states that all registered nurses and midwives must abide by the professional standards which are to: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Therefore, the incident whereby another nurse did not take into consideration the individual needs of the patient does not abide by the professional code of conduct; ultimately, they did not recognise when the patient was anxious or in distress and respond compassionately, paying attention to promoting the wellbeing of the service user and making use of a range of verbal and non-verbal communication methods (NMC, 2015). Compassion is one of the '6cs' introduced in 2012 - which are the values and behaviours that are viewed as the quality markers of a health and care service - these being: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment (Department of Health, 2012). The 6Cs carry equal weight and should be a part of all service delivery - ensuring that patients are always placed at the heart of the provision (DoH, 2012).

5. Conclusion

From this experience, I am now more mindful of the importance of being assertive and exert professionalism in practice (and not feel as though I cannot do something because of my position within the team or length of experience) if similar situations were to arise in the future. The insight I have gained from this experience means that I am now more aware of the implications of not acting immediately and the importance of acting in the best interests of the patient, even when this may take courage. Strong working relationships between healthcare professionals should also be given a greater emphasis within the oncology ward, so to increase levels of group cohesiveness (Rutkowski, Gruder and Romer, 1983).

Action Plan

In the future, I aim to be more proactive in dealing with a situation face on regardless of my role within the team or level of experience; this includes dealing with a stressed service user, ensuring that information is passed on to the relevant staff and intervening when I believe that is a risk to a service user’s health or mental wellbeing. Moreover, I will address the needs and alter how I approach a patient with learning difficulties in the future by ensuring that I use the different methods of communication and undertake some independent research on their specific needs; the information of which I can use in my nursing practice.

I will not assume that other members of staff will always be aware or mindful of the individual needs and/or triggers of a service user, and I will not presume that other members of staff will always act in a wholly professional way. I will continue to undertake regular professional reflective practice, using the on-going model proposed by Gibbs (1988). I also aim to consistently and confidently implement the principles and values as set out by the National League for Nursing, relating to the individual needs of service users, these being:

• To respect the dignity and moral wholeness of every person without conditions or limitation.
• To affirm the uniqueness of and differences among people, their ideas, values and ethnicities. (National League for Nursing, 2017, n.d).

These are furthered by the National Health Service (NHS), which was created out of the ideal that quality healthcare should be available to all and should meet the individual needs of everyone.

Reference List

Boud, D., Keogh, R. and Walker, D. (1985) Promoting reflection in learning: a model. In D. Boud, R. Keogh and D. Walker (eds.) Reflection: turning experience into learning. London: Kogan Page.

Department of Health (DoH). (2012) Compassion in Practice. London: Department of Health.

Gibbs G (1988) Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit. Oxford Polytechnic: Oxford.

Jasper, M. (2013) Beginning Reflective Practice. 2nd edition. Andover: Cengage.

Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

MENCAP. (n.d) Communicating with people with a learning disability. Online. Available at: https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016-12/Communicating%20with%20people_updated%20(1).pdf

National Health Service (NHS). (2015) Principles and values that guide the NHS. Online. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhscoreprinciples.aspx

National League for Nursing. (2017) Core Values. Online. Available at: http://www.nln.org/about/core-values

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). (2015) The Code. London: Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Nursing Times Clinical. (2004) Managing the needs of people who have a learning disability, Nursing Times 100 (10) pp. 28-29.

Oxford Brookes University. (2017) Reflective writing: About Gibbs reflective cycle. Online. Available at: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/upgrade/study-skills/reflective-writing-gibbs/

Rutkowski, G. K., Gruder, C. L., & Romer, D. (1983). Group cohesiveness, social norms, and bystander intervention, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(3), pp.545-552.

Zeichner, K. and Liston, D. (1996) Reflective Teaching: an introduction. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

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Compassionate Nursing Care and Its Perception Essay

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The idea of compassion is essential to nursing practice, and it is regarded as the cornerstone of the industry’s ethical standards. In their daily work, nurses everywhere deal with moral dilemmas involving compassion. As a result, the concept can be seen as an integral part of nursing. However, because of its complicated and abstract character, research is required to examine the meaning of compassionate nursing care and how it might be attained.

The study of compassionate care has benefited from the efforts of certain researchers. In particular, a recent study by Tehranineshat et al. (2018) sought to define compassionate nursing care based on patients’ and healthcare providers’ experiences. Its research questions were “What are the experiences of nurses, patients, and family caregivers about compassionate nursing care?” and “How do nurses, patients, and family caregivers describe compassionate nursing care?” (Tehranineshat et al., 2018, p. 1708). Answering these questions would help the authors better understand the nature of compassionate care and the attitudes of nursing professionals.

The subject of the study entailed a complex approach by the authors. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using data collected from in-depth and semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and field notes from 34 participants selected from several educational hospitals in an Iranian urban area (Tehranineshat et al., 2018). Three themes were identified from the study of the data using the traditional content analysis method: “effective engagement”, “professionalism”, and “continuous comprehensive care” (Tehranineshat et al., 2018, p. 1712). Based on the analysis of the themes, the authors attempted to answer the initial research questions and discern the nature of compassionate care.

The study’s findings indicate that providing patients and family caregivers with compassionate nursing care requires efficient communication in order to fully comprehend their requirements. According to the categories found, sustaining professional ethics standards, clinical competency, professionalism, and continuity of treatment are also essential components of compassionate care (Tehranineshat et al., 2018). The findings that emerged from this study are consistent with recent nursing literature that emphasizes the value of holistic care.

In conclusion, nurses should make a conscious effort to provide their patients with holistic care that incorporates good communication, professionalism, and continuity of care. Nurses can offer improved compassionate care and enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction by being aware of the needs of patients and their families. For this reason, it is essential that nurses intentionally focus on providing compassionate care.

Tehranineshat, B., Rakhshan, M., Torabizadeh, C., & Fararouei, M. (2018). Nurses’, patients’, and family caregivers’ perceptions of compassionate nursing care . Nursing Ethics , 26 (6), 1707–1720. Web.

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Nurse Essay Topics: 100 Top Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics

Rachel andel rn, bsn.

• August 3, 2022
• Nursing Topics and Ideas

When writing a nursing argumentative essay, the importance of choosing the right topic cannot be overstated.

A well-selected topic captivates the reader and provides a solid foundation for a compelling argument. A good argumentative essay should address a relevant and contentious issue with clear arguments on both sides.

It should be a topic that is interesting to you and has enough research and literature to support your arguments. For instance, discussing the ethical implications of nurse-patient confidentiality presents a rich ground for argumentation.

Below, we will explore three good topics for an argumentative essay, what makes a good argumentative essay topic, how to choose one, and tips for writing an excellent nursing essay.

Three Good Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics

• The Impact of Technology on Nursing Practice: Explore how advancements in medical technology have changed the role of nurses, the benefits they offer, and the challenges they pose.
• Mandatory Overtime in Nursing: Debate whether mandatory overtime should be regulated due to its impact on patient care and nurse well-being.
• Evidence-Based Practice vs. Traditional Methods in Nursing: Argue for or against the adoption of evidence-based practice in nursing compared to traditional, experience-based approaches.

How Do I Choose a Nursing Argumentative Essay Topic?

To choose an argumentative essay topic, consider these steps:

• Reflect on Your Interests: Identify issues in nursing you are passionate about or find intriguing.
• Research Current Issues: Look for hot topics in nursing journals, forums, or news outlets.
• Assess the Evidence: Ensure there is ample research and literature to support various perspectives on the topic.
• Consider the Scope: The topic should be neither broad nor too narrow, allowing for a detailed argument within the essay’s length constraints.
• Evaluate Relevance: The topic should be pertinent to current nursing practice and contribute meaningfully to the field.

Here’s how to write an argumentative essay paper

Strong Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics

When it comes to choosing a strong nursing argumentative essay topic, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

• First, you want to ensure that your topic can be argued for or against. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to an argumentative essay, so you want to be sure that your topic can be debated from both sides.
• Secondly, you’ll want to choose a relevant and interesting topic for you and your audience. A good way to find out what topics are popular among nursing students is to ask your peers or professors what they think about certain controversial issues.
• Finally, you’ll want to be sure that you have enough evidence and support for your argument before you start writing.

Once you have all these factors, you can choose one of the following strong nursing argumentative essay topics.

• The Ethics of Nurse Prescribing: Should advanced practice nurses have independent prescribing rights?
• The Effectiveness of Mandatory Continuing Nursing Education: Does mandatory continuing education truly enhance nursing practice and patient care?
• The Role of Nurses in Managing Healthcare Costs: Can nurses play a pivotal role in reducing unnecessary healthcare expenditures?
• Nurse Practitioners as Primary Care Providers: Should nurse practitioners be allowed to serve as the primary care provider without physician oversight?
• The Impact of Nurse Staffing on Patient Outcomes: What is the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality rates?
• Advanced Directives and End-of-Life Care: Should nurses take a more active role in discussing and implementing advanced directives with patients?
• The Utilization of Telehealth in Nursing Practice: Can telehealth services be as effective as traditional face-to-face nursing care?
• The Opioid Epidemic’s Influence on Nursing Practice: What role should nursing play in combating the opioid crisis?
• The Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing: Will artificial intelligence enhance or undermine the nursing profession?
• The Professional Risks of Whistleblowing in Nursing: Is whistleblowing a professional duty or a career risk for nurses?
• The Effectiveness of Pain Management Strategies in Nursing: Are current pain management strategies adequately addressing patient needs?
• Cultural Sensitivity in Nursing Practice: How should nursing education address cultural competency to improve patient care?
• The Debate Over Full Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners: Should all states grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners?
• The Role of Nursing in Global Health Initiatives: How can nurses contribute to and improve global health outcomes?
• The Pros and Cons of Nursing Unions: Do nursing unions benefit patient care and the nursing profession?
• The Standardization of Nursing Credentials: Should there be a national standard for nursing credentials to ensure quality care?
• The Future of Nursing with Personalized Medicine: How will personalized medicine affect the nursing role in patient care?
• Nurses’ Involvement in Policy and Advocacy: How important is it for nurses to be involved in healthcare policy development?
• Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Related to Resource Allocation: How should nurses navigate the ethical challenges of resource allocation in healthcare?
• The Role of Nursing in Addressing Health Disparities: Can nursing interventions effectively reduce health disparities in vulnerable populations?

Controversial Nursing Topics for an Argumentative Essay

• End-of-Life Care Decisions: Is it ethical for nurses to administer palliative sedation to terminally ill patients to alleviate suffering?
• Mandatory Vaccination for Healthcare Workers: Should nurses and other healthcare professionals be required to receive vaccinations as a condition of employment?
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: Should there be a legally enforced maximum number of patients per nurse to ensure quality patient care?
• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID): Should nurses have the right to refuse to participate in assisted dying procedures on the basis of conscientious objection?
• The Use of Cannabis in Nursing Practice: How should nurses approach the use of medical marijuana inpatient treatment, considering varying state laws and federal restrictions?
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Should nurses support the integration of AI in healthcare settings despite the potential for reduced human interaction and job displacement?
• Nursing Workforce Diversity: How can the nursing profession address the lack of diversity, and what are the implications for patient care?
• The Ethics of Rationing Care: How should nurses approach the ethical dilemma of rationing in times of scarce resources, like during a pandemic?
• Handling Non-Compliant Patients: What are the ethical boundaries for nurses when dealing with patients who refuse necessary medical care?
• Confidentiality in the Digital Age: With the rise of telehealth and electronic health records, how can nurses ensure patient confidentiality is maintained?
• Staffing and Burnout: Is the hospital administration responsible for nurse burnout due to inadequate staffing and long shifts?
• Scope of Practice: Should nurse practitioners be given full practice authority nationwide to address the shortage of primary care physicians?
• The Role of Nurses in Harm Reduction: Should nurses be advocates for harm reduction strategies such as safe injection sites?
• Nursing Education Standards: Are accelerated nursing programs compromising the quality of nursing education?
• Nurses and Political Activism: Should nurses be encouraged to engage in political activism related to healthcare policy?
• Gender Bias in Nursing: How does gender bias affect male nurses, and how can it be addressed?
• The Impact of Climate Change on Health: Should nurses play a role in advocating for policies to combat climate change due to its impact on public health?
• Social Media and Professional Boundaries: What are the implications for nurses who use social media, personally and professionally?
• Obesity and Patient Care: Should nurses have the right to refuse to care for morbidly obese patients if it poses a risk to their health?
• Cultural Competence in Nursing: Are current measures for training nurses in cultural competence adequate for ensuring equitable patient care?

Here’s How to Write a Nursing Annotated Bibliography [+ Outline & Examples]

Debate topics for nursing students in nursing argumentative essay topics

• The Ethical Implications of Forced Overtime for Nurses: Should healthcare facilities be allowed to mandate overtime for nursing staff?
• The Integration of Alternative Medicine into Standard Nursing Practice: Does alternative medicine have a place alongside evidence-based practice in nursing care?
• The Legality and Ethics of Nurse Strikes: Can nurse strikes be justified when patient care is at risk?
• Nurses’ Role in Policy Making: Should nurses have a more active role in shaping healthcare policies?
• The Impact of Technology on Nursing Skills: Is reliance on technology diminishing the hands-on skills and intuition of nurses?
• Universal Health Coverage and Nursing: How would universal health coverage impact the nursing profession in the United States?
• Patient Autonomy in Nursing: To what extent should patient autonomy be respected against medical advice?
• Nursing Education: BSN as the Minimum Requirement for Nursing Practice: Should a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) be the minimum entry-level education requirement for all nurses?
• The Use of Physical Restraints in Nursing Care: Is the use of physical restraints in healthcare settings ethical and necessary?
• The Nursing Approach to the Opioid Crisis: Should nurses have the authority to prescribe medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction?
• The Standardization of Nursing Protocols Across States: Should there be a nationwide standard for nursing protocols, or should they remain state-specific?
• The Role of Nurses in Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: How should the nursing profession handle requests for assisted dying?
• Mandatory Reporting Laws for Nurses: Do mandatory reporting laws protect patients, or do they strain the nurse-patient relationship?
• Gender Wage Gap in Nursing: Is there a gender wage gap in nursing, and how should it be addressed?
• Nursing Management and Leadership: Should nurse leaders be required to maintain clinical practice to ensure their decisions are informed by current bedside practices?
• The Prevalence of Horizontal Violence in Nursing: What measures should be taken to combat horizontal violence and bullying in the nursing profession?
• The Role of Nurse Practitioners as Primary Care Providers: Should nurse practitioners be recognized as primary care providers to the same extent as physicians?
• Mental Health Support for Nurses: Should mental health support be a mandatory part of employment for nurses, given the high-stress nature of the job?
• The Ethics of Nurse-Patient Ratios: Is it ethical to compromise on nurse-patient ratios in understaffed healthcare settings?
• The Influence of Big Pharma on Nursing Practice: Should nurses take a stand against the influence of pharmaceutical companies on healthcare practices?

Interesting Nursing Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• The Viability of Universal Basic Income to Address Nursing Shortage: Could a universal basic income policy ensure a more stable nursing workforce?
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Testing in Prenatal Care: Should nurses advocate for or against routine genetic testing in pregnant patients?
• The Role of Nursing in the Legalization of Assisted Suicide: How should nurses position themselves in the legislative debate on assisted suicide?
• The Impact of Social Media on Nursing Professionalism and Privacy: Should there be stricter guidelines for nurses’ use of social media?
• The Adoption of Holistic Nursing Practices in Conventional Medicine: Can holistic nursing practices improve patient outcomes in traditional healthcare settings?
• The Influence of Big Data on Nursing Decisions and Patient Privacy: Does the use of big data in healthcare help or hinder nursing practice and patient confidentiality?
• Climate Change and Its Impact on Public Health Nursing: Should nurses have a more proactive role in advocating for climate change policies due to its effect on public health?
• The Controversy of Mandatory Flu Vaccines for Nurses: Should flu vaccines be mandatory for all nurses to protect patient populations?
• Nursing and the Ethics of Care Rationing during Pandemics: How should nurses approach the allocation of limited resources during health crises?
• The Efficacy of Nurse-Led Interventions in Chronic Disease Management: Are nurse-led interventions more effective in managing chronic diseases compared to traditional approaches?
• The Debate Over Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care Models: Do outpatient care models lead to better patient outcomes and satisfaction?
• Addressing Health Disparities through Community Nursing Initiatives: How effective are community nursing initiatives in reducing health disparities?
• The Role of Nurses in Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: What strategies should nurses use to combat vaccine hesitancy among diverse populations?
• Nursing’s Response to the Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: How can nursing practices adapt to the increasing challenge of antibiotic resistance?
• The Professional and Ethical Boundaries of Nursing Advocacy: Where should nurses draw the line in patient advocacy before it becomes a conflict of interest?
• The Reliability of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Is there a disconnect between evidence-based practice guidelines and real-world nursing?
• The Prospects of Nursing Entrepreneurship: Should more nurses be encouraged to establish healthcare startups and innovations?
• The Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nursing Education: Should nursing education include more comprehensive training in complementary and alternative medicines?
• The Role of Nursing in Addressing the Mental Health Crisis: What is the nurse’s role in mitigating the growing mental health crisis in the United States?
• The Impact of Nursing on Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates: How significant is the role of nursing interventions in preventing hospital readmissions?

Argumentative Nursing Essay Topics for MSN

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Whatever topic you choose, make sure you do plenty of research and plan your essay carefully.

• The Role of Nurses in Promoting Health Equity and Addressing Social Determinants of Health
• The Ethical Considerations of Nurse Rationing and its Impact on Patient Care
• The Importance of Integrating Mental Health Care in Primary Care Settings
• The Challenges and Benefits of Implementing Telehealth Nursing Practices
• The Debate over Mandatory Flu Vaccination for Healthcare Workers
• The Pros and Cons of Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics in Underserved Areas
• The Impact of Nursing Shortages on Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Costs
• The Role of Nurses in Promoting Patient Autonomy and Shared Decision-Making
• The Challenges of Providing Culturally Competent Care in a Diverse Society
• The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Nursing Practice
• The Debate over the Expansion of Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
• The Impact of Nurse Burnout on Patient Safety and Quality of Care
• The Role of Nurses in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic and Pain Management
• The Importance of Nursing Education in Promoting Evidence-Based Practice
• The Challenges of Providing Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Nursing Practice
• The Debate over Mandatory Continuing Education for Nurses
• The Impact of Nurse-Led Interventions on Chronic Disease Management
• The Ethical Considerations of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Nursing Practice
• The Role of Nurses in Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare Practices
• The Challenges of Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Nursing Care

Argumentative Healthcare Topics

Argumentative essays are a popular type of academic writing.

They require students to develop and articulate a clear position on a given topic. The position taken in an argumentative essay should be backed up with evidence, reasoning, and examples.

When it comes to choosing a topic for an argumentative essay, nursing students have a wealth of options.

Nursing is a complex and diverse field, and there are many controversial issues to explore.

Here are some argumentative healthcare topics:

• The role of universal healthcare in addressing health disparities and promoting equity.
• The ethical considerations of rationing healthcare resources and the impact on patient outcomes.
• The debate over the legalization of physician-assisted suicide and its implications for healthcare.
• The challenges of providing culturally competent healthcare to diverse populations.
• The impact of the rising cost of healthcare on access and affordability.
• The role of preventive care and lifestyle interventions in reducing healthcare costs.
• The ethical implications of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and its impact on healthcare.
• The debate over the use of stem cell research and its potential benefits for healthcare.
• The challenges of addressing the growing burden of chronic diseases in healthcare.
• The impact of the opioid epidemic on the healthcare system and potential solutions.
• The role of technology and telemedicine in improving healthcare access and quality.
• The ethical considerations of medical tourism and its implications for healthcare delivery.
• The debate over the use of complementary and alternative medicine in healthcare.
• The impact of healthcare worker burnout on patient safety and quality of care.
• The challenges of providing mental health services within the healthcare system.
• The role of healthcare in addressing social determinants of health and health equity.
• The ethical considerations of gene editing and its potential applications in healthcare.
• The debate over the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in healthcare delivery.
• The impact of climate change on public health and the role of healthcare in addressing it.
• The challenges of providing equitable healthcare access in rural and underserved areas.

 Nursing Argumentative Essay Writing Tips

• Understand the Assignment: Be clear on what the essay prompt is asking and the type of argument you need to make.
• Start with a Strong Thesis: Your thesis statement should clearly express your main argument and set the tone for the essay.
• Use Credible Sources: Support your arguments with evidence from reputable nursing journals, books, and authoritative websites.
• Structure Your Argument: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that present individual points, and a concluding summary.
• Maintain Professionalism: Use a formal tone appropriate nursing terminology, and maintain patient confidentiality if discussing specific cases.
• Proofread and Edit: Ensure your essay is free from grammatical errors and that your argument flows logically.

A good argumentative essay should address a relevant and contentious issue with clear arguments on both sides. It should be a topic that is interesting to you and has enough research and literature to support your arguments. For instance, discussing the ethical implications of nurse-patient confidentiality presents a rich ground for argumentation.

Mental Health Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

• The role of nursing in promoting mental health in the workplace.
• Should nurses have mandatory training in mental health needs for all patients?
• The ethical decision-making challenges in mental health nursing.
• Analyzing the care of patients with mental health disorders: A patient safety perspective.
• Mental health nursing essay topics: Strategies for addressing the stigma.
• Pediatric vs. adult mental health nursing: Examining the differences in care nursing.
• Mental health nursing and global health: Connecting the dots.
• The impact of technological advancements in nursing on mental health care.

Mental Health Nursing Essay Topics for MSN

• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Nursing Practice: How does the implementation of CBT by mental health nurses impact patient recovery?
• The Role of Psychiatric Nurses in Addressing the Stigma of Mental Illness: What strategies can psychiatric nurses employ to combat the stigma associated with mental health disorders?
• Mental Health Nursing Interventions for Patients with Dual Diagnosis: What are the challenges and best practices for treating patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders?
• The Impact of Trauma-Informed Care on Mental Health Nursing: How does the integration of trauma-informed care principles affect patient outcomes in mental health settings?
• The Ethics of Forced Medication in Psychiatric Nursing: Should nurses have the right to administer medication to patients involuntarily, and under what circumstances?
• Mental Health Nursing Approaches for Adolescent Patients: What are the unique considerations and best practices for mental health nursing with adolescents?
• The Nurse’s Role in Suicide Prevention: How can mental health nurses effectively identify and intervene with patients at risk for suicide?
• Mental Health Nursing and LGBTQ+ Patients: How can mental health nurses better support LGBTQ+ individuals who face increased risks of mental health issues?
• The Use of Telepsychiatry in Mental Health Nursing: Is telepsychiatry an effective method for providing mental health care, and what are its limitations?
• Cultural Competence in Mental Health Nursing: How can mental health nurses provide culturally competent care to diverse patient populations?
• The Challenges of Shortage of Mental Health Nurses: What are the implications for patient care, and how can the gap be addressed?
• The Effectiveness of Peer Support Workers in Mental Health Nursing Teams: How do peer support workers contribute to the mental health recovery process?
• The Relationship Between Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses: How do mental health nurses address the psychological impact of chronic physical health conditions?
• De-escalation Techniques in Mental Health Nursing: How effective are current de-escalation strategies, and what training do nurses need?
• Nurses’ Own Mental Health: Coping with Stress and Burnout in Mental Health Nursing: What support systems are necessary to maintain nurses’ mental well-being?
• Advanced Practice Mental Health Nursing: What additional competencies and responsibilities do advanced practice mental health nurses bring to patient care?
• The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Mental Wellness: How can mental health nurses incorporate social determinants into patient care plans?
• Mental Health Nursing in Rural Communities: What are the unique challenges, and how can services be improved in these settings?
• The Role of Mental Health Nurses in Correctional Facilities: What are the best practices for providing mental health care in the prison system?
• The Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Mental Health Nursing: Is the current use of restraint and seclusion ethical and necessary, and what are the alternatives?

Pediatric Nursing Essay Topics for your Argumentative Essay

• The importance of evidence-based practice in pediatric nursing.
• How pediatric nursing addresses the unique health risks of children.
• Pediatric nursing essay topics: Vaccination protocols and parent education.
• Ethical considerations in pediatric end-of-life care.
• The role of pediatric nurses in promoting child mental health.
• Pediatric nursing and school health policies: Ensuring the safety of children.

Public Health Nursing: Essay Topics for Nursing Students

• Community health nursing: A cornerstone of public health.
• Nursing informatics: Revolutionizing public health data management.
• The role of nursing in addressing health disparities in urban communities.
• Public health nursing and infectious disease control: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Public health nursing initiatives in combating obesity: A community-based approach.
• Nursing leadership in developing public health policies.

Trauma and Acute Care Nursing: Argumentative Topics for Nursing

• The challenges of trauma and acute care nursing in patient safety.
• Evidence-based protocols in the management of acute trauma patients.
• The role of nursing in the fast-paced environment of emergency care.
• Burnout in trauma and acute care nursing: Addressing the crisis.
• The integration of technology in trauma and acute care nursing for better patient outcomes.

Nursing Education and Practice: Good Nursing Essay Topics

• The impact of nursing education on patient care quality.
• Evidence-based practice: The backbone of clinical nursing practice.
• The future of nursing education: Balancing traditional methods and technological advancements.
• The role of simulation in nursing practice and education.
• The importance of cultural competence in nursing education and practice.

Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Nursing Paper Topics

• The significance of nursing research in advancing patient care.
• Promoting evidence-based practice in nursing to improve patient outcomes.
• The role of nursing in translating research into practice.
• Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice in nursing.
• The impact of nursing research on developing health policies

Nursing Leadership and Management: Interesting Nursing Essay Topics

• The role of nursing leadership in patient safety and quality improvement.
• Strategies for addressing the nursing shortage through effective leadership.
• The influence of nursing leadership on interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Ethical decision-making in nursing leadership.
• The impact of nursing leadership on healthcare providers’ job satisfaction.

Technological Advancements in Nursing: Easy Nursing Topics

• The adoption of nursing informatics in patient care.
• Wearable technology in nursing: A step towards proactive patient care.
• The role of telemedicine in expanding the scope of nursing practice.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on nursing procedures and patient outcomes.
• The ethical implications of technology in nursing.

Patient Care and Nursing Paper Topics: Essay Ideas for Inspiration

• The nurse’s role in developing personalized care plans.
• Pain management in nursing: Approaches and ethical considerations.
• The importance of interprofessional collaboration in improving patient care.
• Nursing interventions for patients with chronic illnesses.
• The role of nursing in health promotion and disease prevention.
• The impact of nursing on global health initiatives.
• Nursing and the management of health crises in low-resource settings.
• The role of nurses in international health policy development.
• Cross-cultural challenges faced by nurses in global health settings.
• The contribution of nursing to global maternal and child health.
• The role of nursing in community-based health promotion.
• Addressing the mental health needs of the homeless: The nurse’s perspective.
• The nurse’s role in managing community outbreaks.
• Community health nursing and the prevention of chronic diseases.
• School nursing: Bridging the gap between public health and education.

Nursing Informatics: Topics for Nursing Research Paper

• The role of nursing informatics in evidence-based practice.
• Data privacy and security in nursing informatics.
• The impact of electronic health records on nursing efficiency.
• Nursing informatics and patient education: A digital approach.
• The future of nursing informatics in healthcare delivery.

What are 3 good topics for an argumentative essay?

Should nurses be allowed to have an expanded role in prescribing medications? Is mandating strict nurse-patient ratios beneficial or detrimental to healthcare? Should the bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) be required for entry-level nurses?

What is a good argumentative essay to write about?

A good argumentative essay topic in nursing is whether or not healthcare employers should require nurses to receive annual influenza vaccinations. You could argue the pros and cons of mandatory flu shots for healthcare workers.

How do I choose an argumentative essay topic?

When selecting an argumentative essay topic, look for a debatable issue that you can build a persuasive case for or against. Research a few potential topics to see if you can find sufficient evidence to support multiple perspectives. Choose a topic that is meaningful and relevant to your interests or area of study.

How do you write a good nursing essay?

To write an effective nursing essay, start by clearly introducing your focused topic and thesis statement. Support key points with evidence from credible nursing sources and research studies. Use logical organization with smooth transitions between ideas. Maintain objectivity and avoid overly subjective language. End with a conclusion that reinforces your main arguments and their significance.

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Nursing Essay Thesis Statement [+How to & Examples]

• Dr. Wilson MN
• August 11, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Nursing

This article provides information on thesis statement , structure, and style, as well as tips on how to write an effective nursing essay thesis statement and nursing essay thesis statement examples.

There are many different formats that you can use when writing nursing essays. Thesis statements, for example, will be at the beginning of your essay, while the body of your essay will contain details and examples supporting your thesis statement.

In order to ensure that your essay is well organized and flows from point to point, it is important to follow a specific structure.

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What You'll Learn

How to write a Thesis Statement in a nursing essay

Nursing essay writing format [Thesis, Structure]

A thesis statement is the most important part of your nursing essay . It should be a clear, concise, and compelling statement that outlines your main argument. It should also be based on research you have done and reflect your personal opinion. Follow these tips to help create a strong thesis statement for your nursing essay:

1. Start by identifying the problem you want to address. What problem do you think needs to be addressed in the nursing profession? For example, do nurses need more training in preventative care ? Do they need more support when caring for patients ? When writing about a problem that you haven’t personally experienced, it’s important to cite reliable sources that will help support your argument.

Read more on How to Start a Nursing Essay [Nursing Essay Introduction]

2. Be specific about the impact of this problem on nurses and patients . State how this problem has harmed nurses and patients in specific ways . For example, do nurses feel overloaded with work? Do they lack adequate resources to care for their patients effectively ? Be clear about the magnitude of the issue and how it impacts both nurses and patients.

3. Use evidence to back up your argument. Cite reliable sources that supports your thesis statement . For example, if you’re arguing that nurses need more training in preventative care , you can use research studies to back up this claim. Be sure to cite your sources so that readers can verify the information you are presenting.

4. Write in a clear and concise manner. Use specific examples and language to help illustrate your point. For example, rather than saying “Nurses need more support,” say “Nurses need more assistance from their superiors when caring for patients.” This will make your argument more clear and easier to understand.

5. Don’t be afraid to state your opinion. In fact, it’s important to do so. However, make sure that your opinion is based on evidence and research. Don’t simply state what you believe without backing it up with evidence or analysis.

here’s How to Conclude a nursing essay [Nursing Essay Conclusion + Examples]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples

A thesis statement is a concise, compelling statement of your argument. When writing an essay , you should choose a thesis statement that reflects your main arguments and supports your analysis. A good thesis statement will summarize the main points of your essay and introduce new ideas . The following are examples of effective thesis statements for nursing essays:nnNurses are in constant need of updated education in order to provide quality care to their patients .

There are three main types of thesis statements in nursing: descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive. Descriptive statements describe what has been observed or what is known about a certain subject. Explanatory statements explain how something works or why it exists. Persuasive statements engage the reader in your argument by showing how what you are saying is related to their own situation or experience.

Besides, you can use these 100+ Strong Persuasive Nursing Essay Topics Ideas [+Outline]

The following are examples of descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive thesis statements:

Descriptive Thesis Statement: Nursing is an important profession that helps people to maintain their health and extend their lives.

Explanatory Thesis Statement: Nursing plays an important role in the care of patients who are critically ill or who have serious injuries.

Persuasive Thesis Statement: Becoming a nurse is an excellent way to gain valuable experience that will help you to become a successful

Here are 210+ Current Nursing Essay Topics to write about [+Outline]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples 1

In this essay, I will discuss the importance of nursing , identify the essential skills and qualities necessary for success as a nurse, and provide an example of a powerful nursing thesis statement.

Here are four example thesis statements for nursing essays:

Nursing is an important career choice for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Nursing provides unique opportunities to develop personal relationships with patients and their families. Nursing is critically important to the health and well-being of the population . The nursing profession faces many challenges , but it has the potential to make a significant impact on society

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How to Write a Nursing Reflective Essay as a BSN Nursing Student

• November 29, 2023

Welcome to NursingWriters.net, your go-to resource for expert information and guidance on writing nursing essays. In this article, we will provide you, as a BSN nursing student , with a comprehensive guide on how to write a compelling nursing reflective essay. Reflective essays are a personal reflection on your experiences in the nursing profession, and we are here to help you navigate this writing challenge.

As a busy nursing student, we understand that you may have limited time to spare. That’s where NursingWriters.net comes in, empowering you to excel in your BSN program by providing expert guidance on different writing and comprehension challenges you may face. Let’s dive into the world of nursing reflective essays and discover how you can effectively express your thoughts and insights.

Key Takeaways:

• Reflective essays allow nursing students to reflect on their experiences and personal growth in the profession.
• A nursing reflective essay is different from a personal statement, focusing on self-reflection rather than academic achievements.
• Key elements to include in a nursing reflective essay are the inciting incident, personal reflections, vivid details, and actions taken.
• The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide a clear thesis statement.
• The body paragraphs should delve into the writer’s reflections and emotions with specific examples and anecdotes.

What Is a Reflective Essay in Nursing?

A reflective essay in nursing is a powerful tool that allows nursing students to analyze their experiences, emotions, and actions related to their nursing practice. It provides an opportunity for self-reflection, critical thinking, and personal growth. Reflective writing can help nurses develop a deeper understanding of their own practice, improve patient care, and enhance their professional development.

Reflective essays in nursing differ from personal statements in that they focus on specific experiences and their impact on the writer’s growth and development. These essays require the writer to critically reflect on their actions, emotions, and thoughts, and identify ways to improve their practice. By examining their experiences and applying reflective frameworks, nursing students can gain valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.

When writing a reflective essay in nursing , it is important to follow a structured approach. This includes describing the incident or experience, analyzing personal thoughts and feelings, exploring the actions taken, and reflecting on the outcomes and implications. By structuring the essay effectively, nursing students can communicate their reflections in a clear and organized manner.

Key Elements to Include in a Nursing Reflective Essay

When writing a nursing reflective essay, it is important to include key elements that will make your essay comprehensive and impactful. These elements will help you convey your thoughts and experiences clearly, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of your reflections on nursing practice.

Inciting Incident or Event

The first key element to include in your nursing reflective essay is the inciting incident or event. This is the moment or experience that triggered your reflection and made a significant impact on your practice. It could be a challenging patient encounter, an ethical dilemma, or a personal realization. By describing this event in detail, you set the stage for your reflective journey.

Personal Reflections

Your nursing reflective essay should also include personal reflections on the experience. This is where you delve into your thoughts, feelings, and emotions related to the inciting incident. Reflect on how the event made you feel, what you learned from it, and how it has influenced your growth as a nursing professional. Be honest and vulnerable in your reflections, as this will allow the reader to connect with your experience on a deeper level.

Vivid Setting and Descriptive Details

To create a vivid and engaging narrative, include specific details that paint a picture of the setting and the people involved. Describe the physical environment, the interactions between healthcare professionals and patients, and any other relevant details that contribute to the overall context of the experience. This will help the reader visualize the situation and understand the complexities of the event.

Actions Taken

Finally, it is important to describe the actions you took in response to the inciting incident. Discuss how you applied your nursing knowledge and skills to address the challenges or opportunities presented by the event. Reflect on the effectiveness of your actions and whether there were any areas for improvement. This demonstrates your ability to critically analyze your own practice and make informed decisions.

By including these key elements in your nursing reflective essay, you can create a comprehensive and impactful piece of writing that showcases your growth and development as a nursing professional.

How to Write the Introduction of a Nursing Reflective Essay

The introduction of a nursing reflective essay plays a crucial role in capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the entire essay. It should provide a concise overview of the main points that will be discussed and create a sense of curiosity and engagement. Here are some tips to help you write an effective introduction for your nursing reflective essay:

• Start with an intriguing opening line: Begin your introduction with a captivating statement or anecdote that relates to the topic of your essay. This will grab the reader’s attention and make them eager to continue reading.
• Provide context and background information: Give a brief overview of the event or experience that you will be reflecting on in your essay. This will help the reader understand the context and significance of your reflections.
• Present a clear thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main purpose of your essay and the specific points or themes that you will be exploring. This will give the reader a preview of what to expect in the body of the essay.

By following these tips, you can craft an introduction that captivates the reader and sets the stage for a compelling nursing reflective essay.

“As I walked into the busy hospital ward on my first day of clinical rotation, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Little did I know that this experience would become a pivotal moment in my nursing journey, shaping my understanding of empathy, communication, and patient-centered care. In this reflective essay, I will delve into the details of this encounter and explore the personal and professional growth that resulted from it.”

With an attention-grabbing opening, providing context, and presenting a clear thesis statement, your introduction will set the stage for a compelling nursing reflective essay that captures the reader’s attention and lays the foundation for your reflections.

Nursing Reflection Essay Tips and Examples

Writing a nursing reflective essay requires careful consideration and thoughtful analysis. Here are some tips to help you craft an impactful and meaningful reflection essay as a BSN nursing student . Additionally, we will provide examples to illustrate how these tips can be applied.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Reflection Essay:

• Start by choosing a specific experience or event that had a significant impact on your nursing practice. This could be a challenging patient encounter, a critical incident, or a personal realization that transformed your perspective.
• Reflect on the experience and consider how it affected your emotions, thoughts, and actions. What did you learn from the experience? How has it shaped your growth as a nursing professional?
• Focus on the key aspects of the experience that were particularly impactful or meaningful to you. Avoid including unnecessary details or deviating from the main message of your reflection.
• Use specific examples, anecdotes, or patient scenarios to support your reflections. This will make your essay more engaging and relatable to the reader.
• Consider the ethical implications of the experience and reflect on how it has influenced your approach to patient care and decision-making.
• End your essay with a reflection on the implications of your learning for future nursing practice. How will you apply the lessons learned to provide better care and improve patient outcomes?

Now, let’s take a look at two examples of nursing reflective essays to further illustrate these tips:

“During my clinical rotation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), I encountered a complex patient case that challenged my critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities. The patient was a middle-aged woman who had undergone a complicated surgery and experienced numerous post-operative complications. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration within the healthcare team and the significance of advocating for the patient’s best interests…”

“One of the most significant experiences during my nursing education was my time spent in the pediatric oncology unit. Witnessing the resilience and bravery of children facing life-threatening illnesses had a profound impact on my perspective as a nurse. It taught me the importance of providing holistic care, not only addressing physical needs but also supporting emotional well-being and promoting a positive environment for healing…”

These examples demonstrate how personal reflections, specific details, and professional insights can be incorporated to create a compelling nursing reflective essay. Remember to structure your essay in a clear and organized manner, ensuring that your reflections flow logically and coherently.

By following these tips and utilizing examples, you can create a compelling nursing reflective essay that showcases your growth and development as a nursing professional.

How to Conclude a Nursing Reflective Essay

The conclusion of a nursing reflective essay serves as the final reflection on the writer’s growth and learning from the experience. It is an essential part of the essay that summarizes the main points discussed and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The reflective essay conclusion should bring closure to the essay by restating the thesis statement and highlighting the key takeaways from the essay.

To write a strong and impactful conclusion, start by restating the thesis statement in a clear and concise manner. This reminds the reader of the main focus of the essay and reinforces its significance. Next, summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs, highlighting the most important insights and reflections. This helps to reinforce the main ideas and ensures that they are not overlooked in the final reflection.

In addition to summarizing the main points, a thought-provoking statement or future outlook can be included to provide a sense of closure and leave the reader with something to ponder. This can be a reflection on how the experience has influenced the writer’s future practice or a call to action for continued personal and professional growth. By ending the essay on a strong and meaningful note, the conclusion enhances the overall impact of the nursing reflective essay.

A well-crafted conclusion is essential for a nursing reflective essay as it reinforces the main ideas, leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and provides a sense of closure. By following these tips, nursing students can create a powerful and impactful conclusion that enhances the overall effectiveness of their reflective essays.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Reflective Essay

Writing a nursing reflective essay can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can also be a rewarding experience. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to guide nursing students in their essay writing process:

• Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm ideas, reflect on your experiences, and write and revise your essay. Starting early will help you avoid last-minute stress and allow for a more thoughtful and polished essay.
• Conduct thorough self-reflection: Before you begin writing, take the time to reflect on your experiences and emotions related to your nursing practice. Consider how these experiences have shaped your growth and development as a nurse, and what lessons you have learned along the way.
• Organize your thoughts and ideas: Create an outline or a rough structure for your essay to ensure a logical flow of ideas. Group similar thoughts and reflections together to create cohesive paragraphs, and use headings or subheadings to further organize your essay.
• Seek feedback: Share your essay with trusted peers or instructors and ask for their feedback. They can offer valuable insights, provide constructive criticism, and help you refine your essay to make it stronger and more impactful.

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the technical aspects of your essay:

• Grammar and spelling: Proofread your essay carefully to ensure it is free of any grammatical or spelling errors. Use grammar and spell-check tools, and consider asking someone else to review your essay for a fresh perspective.
• Coherent writing style: Use clear and concise language to convey your thoughts and reflections. Avoid excessive jargon or technical terms, and focus on communicating your ideas effectively.
• Formatting guidelines: Follow any formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or institution. Pay attention to font style, size, spacing, and citation style if required.

By following these tips and strategies, nursing students can approach their reflective essay writing with confidence and produce compelling and insightful essays that showcase their growth and development in the nursing profession.

Reflective Tools and Models for Nursing Reflective Essays

Reflective tools and models can provide structure and guidance for nursing students when writing reflective essays. These tools help organize thoughts and experiences, allowing for a more comprehensive and meaningful reflection. By utilizing reflection models , nursing students can enhance their reflective writing skills and deepen their understanding of their own growth and development as healthcare professionals.

Gibbs’ Reflective Model

“Reflective practice is both an art and a science that requires ongoing commitment and practice.” – Gibbs

Gibbs’ Reflective Model is a widely used reflection framework in nursing. It consists of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. This model encourages a structured approach to reflection, allowing the writer to systematically explore their thoughts and emotions, analyze the situation, and identify areas for improvement or further development.

Dewey’s Reflective Thinking Model

“We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.” – Dewey

Dewey’s Reflective Thinking Model focuses on the importance of reflection as a tool for learning and growth. It emphasizes the need to actively engage with experiences, thoughts, and emotions, and to critically evaluate them in order to gain deeper insights and understanding. This model encourages nursing students to think analytically and develop a continuous learning mindset.

Kolb Reflective Model

“Knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it.” – Kolb

The Kolb Reflective Model is based on the concept of experiential learning. It consists of four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. This model encourages nursing students to engage in a cyclical process of learning, where they actively participate in experiences, reflect on them, conceptualize their insights, and apply their learning in real-life situations.

Schön Reflective Model

“Reflection-in-action is the heart of the learning process.” – Schön

Schön Reflective Model emphasizes the importance of reflection in the midst of action. It focuses on the ability to think and adapt in real-time, making decisions based on professional knowledge and experiences. This model encourages nursing students to develop a reflective mindset that allows them to learn and grow while actively engaging in their practice.

Benefits of Reflective Writing in Nursing

Reflective writing plays a crucial role in nursing practice, offering numerous benefits for nursing students and professionals alike. By engaging in reflective writing, nurses can enhance their self-awareness, develop their critical thinking skills, and gain a deeper understanding of patient experiences. This section will explore the advantages of reflective writing in nursing and its significance in healthcare.

Enhanced Self-Awareness

Reflective writing fosters self-reflection, allowing nurses to examine their thoughts, emotions, and actions in various clinical situations. Through this process, they gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This heightened self-awareness enables nurses to provide more effective and compassionate patient care, fostering a patient-centered approach.

Improved Critical Thinking

Reflective writing encourages nurses to think critically about their experiences and the impact of their actions. It requires them to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of their decision-making and problem-solving skills. By reflecting on past experiences, nurses can identify areas where they can enhance their clinical practice and make informed decisions based on evidence and best practices.

Increased Empathy and Understanding

Through reflective writing, nurses develop a deeper empathy and understanding of patient experiences. By reflecting on their interactions with patients, nurses can recognize the emotions, fears, and challenges faced by individuals in their care. This increased empathy enables nurses to provide more holistic and patient-centered care, improving the overall healthcare experience for patients.

Continuous Professional Development

Reflective writing is an essential tool for nurses’ continuous professional development. It allows them to document their growth, learning, and achievements throughout their nursing career. By regularly engaging in reflective writing, nurses can identify areas for further development, set goals for improvement, and ensure they are providing the best possible care to their patients.

Overall, reflective writing in nursing is a powerful tool that empowers nurses to enhance their self-awareness, critical thinking skills, and empathy. By engaging in this practice, nurses can continuously improve their clinical practice, provide high-quality patient care, and contribute to the ongoing development of the nursing profession.

Nursing Reflective Essay Examples

Looking for inspiration for your nursing reflective essay? Here are some examples that showcase different experiences, reflections, and growth in the nursing profession.

These examples demonstrate how nursing reflective essays can provide valuable insights into personal experiences, reflections, and professional growth. They serve as excellent references to help nursing students develop their own reflective writing skills and gain a deeper understanding of the nursing profession.

Writing a Nursing Reflective Essay for Nursing School Application

A nursing reflective essay can be a powerful tool for nursing school applications. It allows applicants to showcase their self-awareness, critical thinking skills, and passion for the nursing profession. When writing a nursing reflective essay for a nursing school application, there are a few key tips to keep in mind.

Reflect on your passion for nursing

Start by reflecting on what drew you to the nursing profession and why you are passionate about it. Consider your personal experiences, such as volunteering or shadowing healthcare professionals, and how they have shaped your desire to become a nurse. Highlight your commitment to providing compassionate and quality patient care.

Share personal experiences in healthcare settings

Provide specific examples of your experiences in healthcare settings, such as clinical rotations or internships. Reflect on the challenges you faced, the lessons you learned, and how those experiences have impacted your growth and development as a future nurse. Discuss any significant interactions with patients, healthcare teams, or mentors that have shaped your understanding of the nursing profession.

Align with the nursing school’s values and mission

Research the nursing school’s values, mission, and educational philosophy. Ensure that your reflective essay aligns with these principles and demonstrates your commitment to the school’s mission. Use the nursing school’s prompts or essay questions as a guide to structure your essay and address the specific criteria they are looking for in applicants.

By following these tips, you can write a compelling nursing reflective essay that effectively conveys your passion for nursing, showcases your experiences, and aligns with the nursing school’s values. Remember to proofread your essay carefully for grammar and spelling errors and seek feedback from mentors or trusted individuals in the nursing profession to ensure your essay is clear, concise, and impactful.

(Table) Tips for Writing a Nursing Reflective Essay for Nursing School Application

Writing a nursing reflective essay can be a transformative experience for BSN nursing students. It allows them to gain valuable insight into their own growth and development as future healthcare professionals. Throughout this comprehensive guide, we have provided expert information and guidance on how to write a compelling nursing reflective essay.

By understanding the purpose of a reflective essay and the key elements to include, nursing students can effectively showcase their personal experiences and reflections. Incorporating reflection models such as Gibbs’ Reflective Model or Kolb Reflective Model can also provide structure and depth to their essays.

At NursingWriters.net, we are dedicated to empowering busy nurses and providing them with the tools they need to excel in their BSN programs. Whether it’s writing a reflective essay or any other writing challenge, we are here to support and guide nursing students towards success.

What is a nursing reflective essay?

A nursing reflective essay is a personal essay where the writer reflects on their own experiences and how those experiences have shaped their growth and development in the nursing profession.

How is a reflective essay in nursing different from a personal statement?

While a reflective essay in nursing focuses on the writer’s personal experiences and reflections, a personal statement is more of a formal document that highlights the writer’s qualifications, achievements, and future goals in the nursing profession.

What are the key elements to include in a nursing reflective essay?

The key elements to include in a nursing reflective essay are the inciting incident or event, personal reflections on the experience, specific details to create a vivid setting, and a description of the actions taken by the writer. It is important to avoid including academic details and excessive focus on emotions.

How should I write the introduction of a nursing reflective essay?

To write an engaging and informative introduction for a nursing reflective essay, you can grab the reader’s attention with an intriguing opening line, provide context and background information, and present a clear thesis statement. Focus on the specific event or experience that will be the main focus of the essay.

How should I structure the body paragraphs of a nursing reflective essay?

The body paragraphs of a nursing reflective essay should have a clear structure. Use the first paragraph to present the thesis statement and provide background information on the event. Use subsequent paragraphs to explore your reflections, emotions, and actions taken. Use specific examples and anecdotes to make the essay more engaging.

How should I conclude a nursing reflective essay?

To write a strong conclusion for a nursing reflective essay, you can summarize the main points discussed in the essay, provide a final reflection on your growth and learning from the experience, restate the thesis statement, and leave the reader with a thought-provoking statement or future outlook.

What are some tips for writing a nursing reflective essay?

Some tips for writing a nursing reflective essay include starting early, conducting thorough self-reflection, organizing your thoughts and ideas, and seeking feedback from peers or instructors. Pay attention to proper grammar and spelling, coherent writing style, and adhere to any formatting guidelines provided.

How can reflective tools and models help with nursing reflective essays?

Reflective tools and models provide structure and guidance for nursing students when writing reflective essays. Models such as Gibbs’ Reflective Model, Dewey’s Reflective Thinking Model, Kolb Reflective Model, and Schön Reflective Model can be used as frameworks for organizing thoughts and experiences in a nursing reflective essay.

What are the benefits of reflective writing in nursing?

Reflective writing in nursing offers benefits such as enhanced self-awareness, improved critical thinking skills, increased empathy and understanding of patient experiences, and continuous professional development. It promotes lifelong learning and helps improve patient care.

Where can I find nursing reflective essay examples?

You can find nursing reflective essay examples that showcase different experiences, reflections, and growth. These examples incorporate personal reflections, specific details, and professional insights into nursing practice. They demonstrate the diversity of topics and experiences that can be explored in nursing reflective essays.

How can I write a nursing reflective essay for nursing school applications?

To write a nursing reflective essay for nursing school applications, reflect on your passion for nursing, personal experiences in healthcare settings, and future goals in the nursing profession. Address specific prompts and align the content with the nursing school’s values and mission.

How can writing a nursing reflective essay benefit BSN nursing students?

Writing a nursing reflective essay allows BSN nursing students to gain insight into their own growth and development as future healthcare professionals. It helps improve critical thinking skills, self-awareness, and understanding of patient experiences. It also promotes continuous professional development.

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How to Write a Nursing Essay for a Nursing Class | Student's Guide

A nursing essay is a focused piece of writing that develops nursing-related ideas using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

In most cases, the content and length of the nursing essay will depend on the level of study, course requirements, instructor preference, and the type of nursing specialization you are taking. Nevertheless, you will primarily write nursing essays, including persuasive, definition, descriptive, argumentative, reflective, and narrative essays.

The process of writing an essay on a nursing topic is the same as the typical essay writing process; it entails three stages ( pre-writing, writing, and post-writing phases ), each with its steps. Although nursing is a noble career, everyone confuses the process of being easy. Nevertheless, completing nursing essays for a nursing class can be challenging, especially if you don't have a structured approach. Not to worry, though!

In this writing guide, we walk you through the steps to take, the structure to adopt, the top tips to use, and some topics to consider when writing an academic nursing essay.

Types of Nursing Essays Nursing Students Write

If you are wondering what types of essays, you are likely to be assigned when in nursing college or when pursuing a nursing degree from a university, let's introduce you to some of them. Academic writing is an essential skill for nurses that they require attaining proficiency in their careers. And because it is a crucial part of the profession, you will be assigned to write different essays. Here are different writings that you will do in nursing school:

• Nursing School Essays. These are the essays or personal statements written before joining nursing school. It is written to show your zeal, passion, and determination to be a nurse. It includes "why nursing" essays, "why I want to become a nurse" essays, or "the noble nursing profession." These are written as part of the application process.
• Reflective Essays. Nursing reflective essays entail expressing your feelings, thoughts, and experiences about an event, such as a practicum, hospital experience, shadowing experience, research project, or study experience. You can use reflective frameworks such as the Johari window, Gibbs reflective model, Kolb's reflective model, Era Cycle, or Driscoll's what model. Your personal nursing philosophy paper is also written in a reflective tone.
• Nursing Scholarship Essays. These are essays written to explain to a scholarship-selection committee why you deserve a scholarship to study nursing or to advance your degree.
• Nursing case study analysis essays
• Descriptive essays. These essays describe a process, topic, or phenomenon of interest in nursing practice.
• Comparative Essays. These essays compare and contrast two things, places, processes, and objects. You can be asked to evaluate middle-range theories and compare disease intervention processes, articles, texts, or events.
• Persuasive Essays. These essays entail convincing the readers to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. For example, you can be asked to write a marijuana legalization essay or an essay on why nurses should be involved in disaster management.
• Expository Essays. Expository essays are five-paragraph essays that explain something or educate/inform the reader. For example, you could be asked to write an essay on the advantages of adopting electronic health systems, why nurses should advance their studies, how to address the nursing shortage, or the legislation and legal requirements to become a nurse.
• Narrative Essays. These are essays that tell a story from the perspective of an individual. For instance, you can narrate how you came to love nursing, your nursing philosophy, or your leadership philosophy.

Nursing Essay Writing Process

A typical nursing essay writing process takes three stages: prewriting, writing, and post-writing. Of course, this also applies when writing a nursing research paper or a case study, for that matter.

Note that the time, effort, and dedication required may differ depending on the essay's type, length, and scope.

For example, if you are assigned to write a 34-page essay analyzing a healthcare policy, most of your time will be consumed by research, planning, and writing. And if you are to write an essay on why you love nursing, you will most likely spend less time researching because you are writing it from your perspective. In a nutshell, the three stages entail:

Prewriting stage

• Unpacking the question
• Defining and refining the essay topic
• Creating a title
• Researching and gathering sources
• Developing a thesis statement
• Creating an outline

Writing Stage

• Crafting the introduction, body, and conclusion
• Fixing the in-text citations

Post writing stage

• Editing, revising, proofreading, formatting, and polishing the essay.
• Checking for plagiarism
• Submitting the essay on time

Pre-Writing Phase for writing a nursing essay

Before you start writing a nursing essay, you have to ensure that you are clear about what is required of you

Unpack or Dissect the Question

The first step in the process of writing a nursing assignment is to know the question. You can do this by reading the prompt in the portal (Blackboard or Canvas), email from the lecturer, or PowerPoint slide presentations from class.

Understanding the question helps you structure your approach, limit the scope of your research, and write a nursing paper addressing the prompt. You should look for pointers, signal words, or terms such as evaluate, elaborate, explore, discuss, examine, illustrate, compare and contrast, cause and effect, make a case, etc.

When you get it right from the onset, you can achieve the goal of your nursing essay, which is to demonstrate that you have a better grasp of theoretical concepts and research processes and can write a professionally written paper.

Select a suitable topic

In most cases, you will be given a topic to write about because nursing essays focus on the same issues, unlike other subjects.

 The field is leveled in nursing classes. Nevertheless, due to the differences in communities, states, and nationalities that nursing students come from, you might be allowed to select a topic on your own.

After selecting a suitable topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow, submit it for approval by your professor or nurse educator. Ideally, choose a topic that aligns with the course concepts, theories, and readings. For instance, if discussing healthcare determinants in a specific community, focus on a website such as HealthyPeople to get the facts right.

Use the determinants mentioned in class when benchmarking nursing practice and community experiences.

The same applies to other areas such as anatomy, pathophysiology, epidemiology, care planning, assessment, leadership, education, practice, state laws, advocacy, policy analysis, etc.

When choosing the topic, go for the one you are interested in. Probably select a topic that aligns with your future ambitions/specialization.

Related Article: Nursing Research Topics for Essays and Nursing Papers.

Focus your Research and Select Sources

Once you have a topic, you must research widely from credible nursing sources.

Develop an understanding of the topic, understand what nursing scholars are saying about the topic, and select potential nursing references for your paper.

You can use scholarly nursing databases such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, BMC, the Cochrane Library, or the JBI EBP database.

Limit your search to articles and journals published within the last five years unless you have to reference a seminal work that has not been updated through the years.

Develop your thesis

A common question students ask is whether nursing essays have thesis statements. The response is that, like any other essay, you should include a thesis that announces your central aim or idea.

Your thesis statement should be assertive, specific, arguable, precise, and demonstrative. It should round up the gist of your entire paper.  The topic, supporting, and concluding sentences depends on the thesis statement.

Outline your essay

After creating a reasonable and focused thesis statement, map out a rough structure of your essay. Mapping out your essay helps you understand what falls where and stay focused when writing.

The essay outline should have your title, hook statement, thesis statement, and topic sentences. You will be filling this outline in the next step when writing the paper.

Writing stage for the Nursing Essay

In the writing phase, you must focus on filling your outline with content. Follow the following steps.

Write the introduction first

By now, you have identified the direction you want your essay to take, depending on the structured approach you have selected to answer the prompt/question. The introduction of your essay sets the tone, direction, and scope of your essay. since it is the invitation for your readers and the first contact point, it should grab their attention and then inform them what is to come. The introduction should be 15-20% of the word count. It should entail:

• Hook this is the first sentence in your nursing essay, and it should raise the curiosity of your readers and pique their interests. You can use a statistical, epidemiological, or surprising fact related to the topic. In most cases, when writing essays on disease, epidemiology, and disease processes, shocking statistical/epidemiological facts can do the work. For instance, if you are writing an essay on mental health or illness, state the portion of the affected national, international, regional, or state population.
• Background of the topic the background is where you give the context that helps your readers understand your arguments. Provide an overview of the topic, the importance of the nursing topic, and if possible, explain the complicated terms.
• Thesis statement state your thesis statement as stated in the outline. In addition, the thesis should signal your position on the topic.
• Signposting this is where you map out the content of your essay by stating the content in each section. It is specifically applicable to longer essays.

Develop the body paragraphs

After writing the introduction, you need to write the body paragraphs of your nursing essay. The body is approximately 75-80% of your essay's word count.

It is where you make arguments, give examples, and provide evidence to support the thesis. You should present, analyze, interpret, and organize the sources when supporting your claims and arguments.

In terms of writing the paragraphs, ensure that each body paragraph has an outstanding topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences.

 The first sentence is the topic sentence, which announces what the paragraph is about.

The supporting sentences are where you present the facts, information, and examples from scholarly sources. Make sure to cite the information to avoid plagiarism.

Also, have transition words to help you write an essay with a good flow of ideas.

In nursing, you can use AMA, APA, ASA, or Harvard formatting; ensure you stick to the respective rules.

Write the conclusion

 The conclusion is the final paragraph of your nursing essay. You should write it to include 10-15% of the word count of your essay. A strong nursing essay conclusion restates the thesis, ties together the main arguments, has a call to action, or provides a sense of closure to the readers.

It should have an impactful or memorable sentence that lets the reader develop a strong connection and have a positive impression.

Your conclusion should not have any new facts, concepts, or examples. Instead, it should summarize your essay.

If you have a nursing essay that has a concept map, you can hire a concept map writer from our website and fulfil your assignment on time. 

Tips to help you write better Nursing Essays

As we began by saying, writing nursing essays follows the same steps as the essays you have written before. Apart from mastering the citations and structure and following the above steps to write a powerful essay, you can use these tips to ensure that your paper meets the requirements for the top grades in the rubric.

• Make clarifications early enough . When assigned to write a nursing essay, start by reading the instructions and unpacking what is required of you. Then, if you have any questions, contact your nurse educator or professor early enough.
• Allocate adequate time to complete the paper. To write a top-grade nursing essay, you must allocate enough time to research, draft, edit, and polish your essay. Therefore, completing and submitting the essay before the deadline is advisable.
• Research widely . If you are going to write a winning essay, you need to support your ideas with facts and pieces of evidence. Extract this evidence and supporting facts from nursing databases. Use journals, nurse organization websites, and government websites to support your arguments.
• Write first and edit later . When writing the paper, focus on writing first so that all your attention is focused on writing a paper with a good flow of ideas. Then, you can save everything else for later when proofreading and editing to turn the paper into a final draft.
• Incorporate concepts and theories from class . Nursing studies entail the learning and applying of nursing concepts, theories, and practical experiences. Therefore, focus your paper on these theories based on class readings, discussion posts and responses, and experiences during practice.
• Organize your paper well . As you write the essay, think creatively. Remember to present your facts logically and support your arguments using relevant in-text citations.
• Check for plagiarism . Before submitting your paper, check if it has plagiarism. You can do so using free plagiarism checkers such as Plagscan or Grammarly.
• Format your paper well . Ensure that you format and structure your paper according to the formatting and citation styles highlighted in your essay prompt. If you are unsure, refer to the citation machines or websites.
• Hire someone to write . If you cannot write the essay, hire a good nursing essay writer to write a model nursing essay that can demonstrate how to approach your topic. Then, you can edit, use it as a guide, and write an essay that addresses the prompt.

Related: Writing a nursing diagnosis statement.

Writing a nursing essay helps you develop critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills. For instance, writing an essay that applies the clinical reasoning cycle or SBAR communication model will help you know how to apply such models in practice. Therefore, ensure that your nursing essay meets your nursing class's content, structural, theoretical constructs, quality improvement models, and facts.

Related Articles:

• How to write a nurse student resume with no experience.
• Nursing theories to consider for your essay.
• Reasons to join the WGU RN to BSN Program.
• Writing a perfect nursing diagnosis.
• Steps for writing a perfect nursing care plan.

When in nursing school, essay writing is a critical aspect. You can hire a nursing essay writer from our website if you are strapped for time to complete your essays. Our experts can craft high-quality essays on any nursing essay topic of your choice. All papers are written in the appropriate format: APA, Harvard, AMA, or ASA. Check out our entire nursing class help package and make a deal today!

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120+ Fresh Nursing Essay Topics (With FAQs and Essay Writing Tips)

Be it writing a nursing assignment or preparing an essay to get admission to a nursing school, choosing the right nursing essay topic is of utmost importance.

An essay can make or break your chance of getting into that school or your chances of scoring the highest in the assignment.

Considering the importance of nursing essays, we have got you some handpicked nursing essay topics that will help you ace the exams.

The article is divided into 3 sections according to the difficulty level. You can opt for them according to your convenience.

You’ll also find an interesting list of topics in the miscellaneous section. So make sure to check that as well.

The following part of the article includes some tips on framing a well-structured essay.

 Basic Level Nursing Essay Topics

• Describe the role of nurses in society.
• What are nursing ethics?
• According to you, what are the challenges associated with nursing?
• Discuss nursing ethics.
• Importance of nursing care for infants.
• What are the possible reasons behind a fewer number of male nurses?
• Throw some light on nurses’ practice act.
• Why is there a need for significant leadership in nursing?
• What are the steps you need to take to cure minor wounds?
• What are the steps you need to take to cure severe wounds?
• Discuss the steps that nurses should take to deal with hyperactive patients and their relatives?
• Are there any differences faced by nurses as compared to doctors when it comes to respect and value?
• What measures can nurses take to cure serious wounds when not having any instruments?
• What steps can nurses take to deal with patients in backward regions, where there is a lack of medical infrastructure?
• Analyze the problems with medical infrastructure.
• How to strengthen medical infrastructure?
• How to perform home nursing?
• Steps to improve mental health.
• Discuss the pitfalls of dieting.
• Importance of technology in nursing.

Moderate Level Nursing Essay Topics

• Throw some light on holistic nursing.
• Should we allow nurses to prescribe medication or antibiotics?
• Discuss the risks associated with nurses prescribing medication?
• Discuss the problems associated with the compensation of nursing jobs.
• How should nurses deal with abusive or rude patients?
• How can civilians be helpful to nurses in treating their patients?
• Infant mortality and its possible causes.
• How to prepare a nursing resume to apply for a job?
• Mental impact on nurses.
• Basic theories to apply in nursing.
• Nursing in India: from struggle to victory.
• Soft skills required in nursing.
• Reasons to choose nursing as a profession.
• How to teach nursing?
• How to deal with depression being a nurse.
• How to deal with patients with dementia initially?
• What efforts should be made to make patients’ stay in neonatal units more pleasant?
• Legalizing euthanasia.
• Importance of midwifery. Is it underestimated?
• How can we help pharmacies strike a balance between helping the patients and earning a profit?

Advanced Level Nursing Essay Topics

• Significance of psychological training to ensure efficient medical working.
• Has covid-19 impacted the chances of nursing being a chosen profession?
• How to avoid hospitalization in covid-19?
• Measure to enhance the efficiency of nurses as assistants of doctors.
• What can nurses do to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
• Express your views on applying Henderson’s principles in the nursing area.
• How to convince people to donate organs?
• Chronic diseases and covid-19 pandemic.
• Discuss pediatric ethics.
• Explain acute coronary syndrome.
• Explain the cause behind anxiety disorders.
• Write on obesity and weight management programs.
• What precautions should be taken in the postnatal period?
• Dealing with gestational weight gain challenges.
• Precautions to be taken pre and post-delivery.
• Joint disorders study in elderly people.
• What are geriatrics ethics?
• Menarche and menopause challenges and symptoms.
• Explain reproductive endocrinology.
• Therapeutic injections: pros and cons.

List of Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are nurses more vulnerable to health risks than doctors?
• How does the increased number of working hours impact the working of nurses?
• Is nursing a female-centric profession?
• How important is the role of a nurse when compared with that of a doctor?
• Difference in the salary paid to day shift nurses vs. night shift nurses
• What should be the adequate amount of nursing staff to have in a hospital?
• Should more emphasis be laid on home nursing?
• How is racial discrimination a problem in nursing?
• Are nurses more empathetic than doctors?
• How important is it for a nurse to work on her emotions?

Miscellaneous Topics for Students Nursing Research

• Nursing Theory: 
• Nursing theory history and significance
• Strategies for theory construction in nursing
• Nursing theory vs. nursing practice
• Person-centered nursing: theory and practice
• Areas of agreement in nursing theory development
• Nursing Education:
• Critical thinking in nursing education : Literature review
• Future challenges for nursing education
• Curriculum development in nursing education
• New nursing education structure in US/UK/Asia
• Creating innovative models of clinical nursing education
• Nursing Care: 
• Transcultural concepts in nursing care
• Basic principles of nursing care
• Factors influencing why nursing care is missed
• Measuring patients’ satisfaction with nursing care
• Spiritual nursing care: state of the art
• Pharmacology for nursing care
• Nursing Interventions:
• The systematic development of nursing interventions
• The impact of nursing interventions
• Nursing interventions for smoking cessation
• Nursing interventions for patients with chronic conditions
• Nursing interventions for premature infants
• Nursing interventions to promote functional feeding
• Nursing Homes:
• Nursing homes in developed and developing nations: a comparison
• Characteristics of nursing homes that affect resident outcomes
• Infections among patients in nursing homes
• Nursing homes and COVID‐19: What has changed?
• Abuse of patients in nursing homes
• Family involvement in nursing homes
• Nursing Leadership 
• Factors contributing to nursing leadership
• Nursing leadership and patient outcomes
• Leadership and management in nursing
• Transformational leadership in nursing
• ethical leadership in nursing
• Nursing Diagnosis:
• Nursing diagnosis process and it’s relation with critical thinking skills
• Application of nursing process and nursing diagnosis
• Do staff nurses use nursing diagnosis effectively?
• Methods to validate nursing diagnoses
• Accuracy of nursing diagnoses: How effective are they?
• Nurse Burnout:
• Nurse burnout and quality of care
• Nurse burnout: personal and environmental factors
• Impact of nurse burnout on organization
• Predictors of burnout among nurses in US, UK, India
• Pediatric nurse burnout
• Nurse Staffing: 
• Nurse staffing and inpatient hospital mortality
• Hospital nurse staffing and quality of care
• Nurse Patient Ratios
• The effects of nurse staffing on medical costs
• Nurse staffing in critical care and how it affects patient outcome
• Nurse Practitioner Role
• Barriers to developing nurse practitioner role
• Analyze nurse practitioner role in acute care settings
• How case-study research can better implement nurse practitioner role
• Practice and clinical leadership: The core role of the nurse practitioner
• Neonatal nurse practitioner role
• 200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do you start writing a nursing essay.

The following section includes some tips on how to write a well-curated nursing essay.

• Plan your essay- you need to have a well-planned outline of the essay to write an outstanding one.

Spend a good amount of time in research and shortlist the things that you would want to include, things that you would want to highlight or your personal story if any.

• Start writing- Start your essay with a statement that is catchy and strong. Include an adequate amount of research and evidence to support your point in the body. End it with a conclusion stating a summary of the essay.
• Revision- go through the content and look for grammatical or spelling errors, if any. Focus on the structure of the essay.

2. List tips on how to write a nursing school application essay.

• Focus on being informative- while framing the essay, be mindful of the information you include. Make sure it is backed by some evidence.
• Select the best essay topic- go for such a topic that makes the officers remember you after they have read the essay. At the same time, make sure you are comfortable writing on it.
• Check the structure- the essay should be divided into 3 parts- introduction, body and conclusion. Make it readable and easy to understand.

To sum it up, when you kick-start writing a research paper, make sure you move ahead step-by-step.

Since research is the first step in writing the essay, you first have to gather all the essential list of information that is relevant to your nursing essay topic.

Next, handpick the information and come up with an essay that is well-curated and backed by evidence.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Nursing — My Passion For Nursing

My Passion for Nursing

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Compassion and empathy, intellectual challenges, teamwork and camaraderie.

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Welcome to a unique top-rated database of nursing college essay examples. For years, we’ve collected the most successful samples by students to help others create their own pieces of work. You’re free to find an example related to your topic in your subject. Doubting the legality of the examples we post here? All samples of a nursing essay are uploaded by authors voluntarily and may be used for informational purposes only, not for copying.

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If you check out nursing student essay examples on the subject of health, you’ll find that the academic discussion will center on examples of recent discoveries or potential risks. As the main character in such a nursing essay is a person, samples will show you how to cover many aspects of their health, for example, from straightforward cold-healing to complex COVID-19 avoidance.

Should you have the opportunity to receive specialized funding for your studies, our nursing scholarship essay examples could help you. These free samples of a nursing essay demonstrate how you can advertise your candidacy, including examples of your skills and attainments, and persuade the committee to choose you over other applicants.

And that’s not all that our free samples could give you. You may also find nursing entrance essay examples to help you with the admission process and much more. Our platform provides you with a complete selection of samples, so whatever nursing essay you’re working on, you’ll get a free example to follow.

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A nursing essay involves differences in this kind of text, even if they may seem comparable. Some examples you might find on this platform could teach you to focus more on discussing systemic issues. Other samples help you learn to solve problems in an individual way and deal with examples of poor health instances. There are even free samples of an essay with concrete examples of promoting public preventative medicine or new laws.

Our nursing essay writing examples will show you how to include each component: the problem and tone, as well as the topic, style, and particular aim. Some of the samples of an essay can give you an understanding of how to explain the idea to the audience using examples of arguments and verified facts. From these free samples, you won’t get the author’s personal examples, viewpoints, or opinions on a nursing issue. Only pure research into available examples of sources is required for this kind of nursing essay. These free samples demonstrate how to inform the audience through logic, not examples of generalizations.

Other nursing essay examples are mostly used in universities or colleges. From these samples, you’ll know how to convey arguments, as the goal is to persuade the reader that your viewpoint is the only valid one. As required in these types of nursing essays, you’ll be able to make emotional arguments, give concrete examples, or apply them to reason. Such samples are compelling no matter what topic they are about. Examples of topics in this category will explain to you how to present the query that is hotly debated in academic or social circles.

The primary objective of one more nursing essay sample type is to convey to the reader the substance of any fact or example in an understandable language. In these examples, you may notice that the author doesn’t seek justifications. So, from such samples of an essay, you’ll simply understand how to research the subject appropriately and then retell it using your own words. Similar examples of tasks are required for another kind of nursing essay, but you’ll also learn to develop a plot and provide samples of information on specific cases. These free examples will teach you to imply the key point rather than state it explicitly.

Quality sample essay nursing is our database priority

Any sample nursing school essay from this platform is frequently regarded by students as a useful example and source of inspiration due to its quality. You should carefully consider the free examples and pick the ones that will be the most helpful to cover the areas of knowledge you wish to employ when writing your nursing paper .

Here’s what every sample nursing essay on our site includes:

• Examples for an essay to sound credible.
• Resources of literature samples and online sources.
• Conclusions that support the author’s statements.
• Both theory and practice.

Finding ideas for a nursing essay is also simpler with successful examples published in the database. Moreover, due to clear essay frameworks and thesis statements in free samples from the database, you will see how you can captivate the reader and guarantee yourself a high result. Whether you need a nursing entrance essay sample or any other example, it doesn’t matter.

Why you should use our nursing essay writing examples

When you’re writing your nursing essay , examples are quite helpful since they provide a visual representation of how this piece of writing should be formatted. With a sample essay, nursing students are more aware of the format, examples of key components, and objectives. Using a sample as a guide is essential, because failing to do so could result in you making certain common errors that can affect your grade.

Free samples of a nursing essay provides you with an easier way of writing. By using these free samples, you can evaluate the standard expected from these types of essays, so carefully review the examples you come across and pay attention to details. This website can provide you with examples of a nursing essay written in all essay formats – not a single style missing.

Examples on the platform include all the details required to write a top performing nursing essay: the thesis, motivation, arguments, supporting points, samples of relevant literature, appropriate style, and referencing. The key notion of examples is the thesis. From examples, you’ll learn how to make it debatable, acknowledged at the outset of the essay, and constantly controlled by samples of nursing academic material. Motivation in samples can teach you to highlight the significance of the essay and supports the author’s personal interest in investigating the topic.

Since one example of argumentation in a nursing essay won’t suffice to persuade the reader, from examples, you’ll get to know how to provide specific references or citations as proof. Finally, you’ll learn how to examine relevant examples of nursing evidence and write using the many samples as they combine to create a complete picture that was previously hidden.

Don’t hesitate to follow our examples of a nursing essay – that’s your key to excellence!

The essence of nursing

In health care today, technological advances grab headlines while clinicians’ documentation duties mount almost daily. Is basic nursing care receding into the background?

Recently, American Nurse Today’s Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) had a spirited discussion on the current state of nursing and patient-care delivery. We concluded we need to shift the focus back to basic nursing care. Hence, the special supplement you’re now reading— The Essence of Nursing: Advancing the Art and Science of Patient Care, Quality, and Safety.

So what is the essence of nursing? It’s what some people call “high-touch” nursing, where the nurse has plenty of face-to-face time and a personal connection with patients and their families.

In a sense, the essence of nursing is the very heart of nursing.

During our discussion, EAB members shared examples of extraordinary nurses who’ve had a significant impact on patient outcomes and the patient-family experience. We also shared anecdotes in which nurses didn’t behave like the compassionate, competent caregivers we all aspire to be. This dichotomy underscored our belief that nurses need to get back to the basics—to living and breathing the essence of nursing in every patient encounter to realize the full potential of our profession.

Certain characteristics and competencies set nursing and nurses apart from other professions and practitioners. As EAB members discussed the essence of nursing, we asked each other: What’s distinctive about a nurse’s DNA? How does that distinction manifest when it comes to providing safe, high-quality patient care? How can nurses deliver the essence of nursing to its fullest extent possible—especially when caring for such vulnerable patients as low-birth-weight infants and elderly adults? What factors or circumstances enable or prohibit nurses from doing this? In today’s fast-paced, high-acuity, multidimensional, and penalty-driven healthcare delivery system, it’s crucial that we find answers to these and related questions.

Nursing presence

The nurse is the key to providing safe, effective, and compassionate care at both the individual and organizational levels. Despite the rapidly changing healthcare environment, one constant remains: The nurse, in a collective sense, is the healthcare professional who’s with the patient and family 24/7/365.

The nurse creates and nurtures an intimate bond with the patient and family through a constant presence and hands-on care. She or he gets to know the patient and family better than any other healthcare provider, learning their wishes, fears, capabilities, and challenges. It’s the nurse in whom the patient confides in the middle of the night and to whom the patient’s loved ones turn for information, support, and solace.

When a patient experiences overt distress or deteriorates suddenly, the nurse is likely to be the first one on the scene, initiating rescue procedures. More often than not, it’s the nurse who detects subtle changes in vital signs or behavior that signal a serious or life-threatening event. The literature tells us that when nurses have the right preparation and are present at the right place and the right time, patient outcomes improve. In collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues, nurses’ highly skilled, competent, compassionate care can help prevent the patient’s functional decline, eliminate knowledge deficits for the patient and family, and promote their engagement in health care.

Presence and vigilance are key elements of the essence of nursing. But along with the privilege of being “the one who’s there” comes a tremendous responsibility and accountability. Nurses are, and always have been, the patient’s first and last line of defense. Keeping the patient safe from preventable adverse events—such as falls, pressure ulcers, infections, and immobility complications—are high on nurses’ priority list as they manage and coordinate the patient’s care to ensure safe passage through the care-delivery system.

Spotlighting basic nursing care

This supplement puts basic nursing care back in the spotlight where it belongs by:

• revisiting key elements of patient care, updating them in the context of today’s healthcare environment
• emphasizing the nurse as the patient’s sentinel, who protects the patient from injury and acts quickly when potential danger arises
• stressing the nurse’s role in marshalling appropriate resources to ensure optimal patient outcomes
• highlighting the significance of nursing observation and evaluation of the patient.

Where the topic of technology arises in this supplement, the authors make it clear that its most important role is to support the decision making of nurses and other clinicians. Although technology can help improve patient care, it also can distract us from basic care. If we get caught up in technology, we can lose sight of the higher purpose of health care.

The essence of nursing and the organization

Many of the indicators that drive a healthcare organization’s performance, profitability, and image in the community it serves hinge on how well its nurses practice the essence of nursing, The essential elements of nursing care are crucial in reducing lengths of stay, cost per case, adverse events, and litigation. Nurses have a measurable and significant impact not just on safety, quality, and economic outcomes but also on patient satisfaction and engagement, as shown in scores on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys.

Who better than the nurse to coordinate the many disciplines involved in a patient’s care? To consider the multiple facets of the patient-family dynamic when exploring care needs across the care-delivery system? Effective nursing care is critical in preventing readmissions and ensuring that patients successfully navigate the many hand-offs that occur during their stay.

With today’s focus on quality and cost and the financial penalties of suboptimal care, validating and quantifying nurses’ impact and recognizing their value to healthcare organizations and communities at large is crucial. As we work to enhance the patient experience and promote care across the continuum, our ability to uphold the essence of nursing will make or break our efforts.

Recipe for success

The essence of nursing encompasses a fundamental set of ingredients that serves as the “recipe” for success at many levels—the individual patient and family experience, an organization’s success as measured in outcomes and costs, and the health of our nation and the global community. Multiple factors influence how successfully this recipe turns out:

• Everyone involved must understand what it takes to create an environment that fosters full expression of the essence of nursing.
• Healthcare organizations must learn and replicate best practices that validate, appreciate, and recognize the essence of nursing. This, in turn, helps raise the standard of patient care while nurturing nursing staff and making their work more satisfying.
• The art of nursing must coexist with today’s technology-driven, evidence-based science of nursing. To ensure such coexistence, nurses must manifest the essence of nursing in every patient and family encounter.

To a large degree, the future of healthcare delivery hinges on our ability to optimize the work of nurses and enable them to practice the essence of nursing. We believe this supplement gives you the tools you need to achieve that optimization and the power that comes with it.

Selected reference

Aiken LH, Sloane DM, Bruyneel L, et al. Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. Lancet . 2014;383(9931):1824-30.

Melissa A. Fitzpatrick is vice-president and chief clinical officer at Hill-Rom and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board at American Nurse Today .

Read the next article: Creating the environment for nursing excellence

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100+ Nursing Essay Topics

Table of Contents

What is a Nursing Essay?

A nursing essay is a piece of academic writing that explores specific topics related to nursing, patient care, healthcare, or any other relevant subject. These essays serve a dual purpose: to enhance the writer’s knowledge about the topic and to provide insights into current nursing practices and challenges. Such essays require thorough research, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical implications.

Read more: How to Write a Good Nursing Essay

A Quick Guide on How to Choose a Nursing Essay Topic

Selecting the right topic for your nursing essay is crucial for its success. Here’s a brief guide to help you:

• Interest & Passion : Choose a topic you’re passionate about. Your enthusiasm will reflect in your writing.
• Relevance : Ensure the topic is relevant to current healthcare trends, challenges, or the specific course you’re pursuing.
• Scope for Research : A good essay is backed by solid research. Ensure there’s enough information available on your chosen topic.
• Practical Implications : Ideally, select a topic that has real-world significance in the nursing field. This adds depth to your essay.

Engaging Nursing Essay Topics Lists

Patient care & interaction.

• The importance of patient-nurse communication.
• Ethical dilemmas faced by nurses in patient care.
• The role of empathy in nursing practice.

Technological Advancements in Nursing

• The impact of telehealth on nursing practices.
• Integrating artificial intelligence in nursing.
• Wearable technology and its influence on patient care.

Healthcare Policies & Nursing

• Analyzing the effects of healthcare reforms on nursing practices.
• The role of nursing in shaping healthcare policies.
• Addressing understaffing issues in nursing.

Nursing Education & Training

• The significance of continuous learning in nursing.
• Challenges faced by nursing students and possible solutions.
• The future of nursing education: A blended learning approach?

Mental Health & Nursing

• The role of nurses in addressing mental health issues.
• Coping strategies for nurses dealing with job-related stress.
• Integrating mental health training in nursing curriculum.

Global Health & Nursing

• Nursing practices in the face of global health crises.
• Cross-cultural nursing: Challenges and opportunities.
• The role of nurses in global health campaigns.

Specialized Nursing Fields

• Pediatric nursing: Challenges and rewards.
• The evolving role of surgical nurses.
• Oncology nursing: Providing care and comfort.

Nursing Leadership & Management

• The importance of leadership skills in nursing.
• Strategies for effective nursing team management.
• The role of nurses in hospital administration.

Patient Care Dynamics

• The transformation of patient-nurse relationships over the decades.
• Bridging the gap: Overcoming language barriers in patient care.
• How do cultural differences influence patient-nurse interactions?

Innovations in Nursing

• The role of virtual reality in patient rehabilitation.
• Impacts of electronic health records on nursing efficiency.
• The growing importance of mobile health apps in nursing practices.

Pediatric & Neonatal Care

• The unique challenges of neonatal nursing.
• Pediatric pain management: Best practices and challenges.
• Psychological support for children with chronic diseases.

Nursing & Chronic Illness

• Managing long-term care for Alzheimer’s patients.
• The nurse’s role in diabetes education and management.
• Strategies for handling patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Elderly Care & Geriatric Nursing

• Best practices for handling age-related mental health issues.
• The challenges of geriatric nursing in a rapidly aging society.
• Ethical considerations in end-of-life care.

Mental Health Nursing

• Approaches to handling patients with depression.
• Nursing practices for managing schizophrenia.
• Addressing substance abuse: The role of the nurse.

Community & Public Health Nursing

• The role of community nurses in health education campaigns.
• Addressing health disparities through community nursing.
• Nursing strategies for infectious disease control in communities.

Critical Care & Emergency Nursing

• Best practices in trauma care: A nursing perspective.
• The psychological impact of emergency nursing.
• Strategies for efficient triage in emergency departments.

Nursing Ethics & Professionalism

• Navigating the complex world of medical ethics in nursing.
• Balancing patient autonomy with medical advisement.
• Confidentiality concerns in the digital age.

Oncology & Palliative Care

• The evolving role of nurses in cancer care.
• Palliative care strategies for terminal illnesses.
• Psychological support strategies for cancer patients and their families.

Midwifery & Women’s Health

• The changing landscape of midwifery practices.
• Addressing women’s reproductive health: The role of nurses.
• Best practices in prenatal and postnatal nursing care.

Orthopedic & Surgical Nursing

• Preoperative and postoperative nursing strategies.
• Challenges in orthopedic nursing: From rehabilitation to chronic pain management.
• Innovations in surgical nursing and their impacts.

Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice

• The significance of evidence-based practices in modern nursing.
• Challenges and solutions in nursing research methodologies.
• The future of data-driven practices in nursing.

Holistic Nursing Practices

• Integrating alternative medicine into mainstream nursing care.
• The significance of spirituality in nursing.
• Benefits and challenges of holistic nursing in modern healthcare.

Nursing & Technology

• The impact of telemedicine on nursing practices.
• Using augmented reality for patient education.
• The pros and cons of robotic assistance in nursing care.

Occupational Health Nursing

• The role of nurses in promoting workplace wellness.
• Addressing mental health issues in corporate settings.
• Strategies for handling work-related injuries and illnesses.

Nursing Leadership & Advocacy

• Enhancing leadership skills among nurse practitioners.
• The role of nurses in healthcare policy advocacy.
• Strategies for promoting inter-professional collaboration in healthcare settings.

Nursing in Pandemics & Epidemics

• Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for nursing professionals.
• The role of nurses in epidemic preparedness and response.
• Strategies for mental health support for nurses during health crises.

Forensic Nursing & Legal Implications

• The expanding field of forensic nursing: Roles and responsibilities.
• Legal and ethical challenges in forensic nursing.
• Collaborative practices between nurses and law enforcement agencies.

Nursing Education & Curriculum Development

• Incorporating digital literacy into nursing curriculum.
• The benefits of simulation-based learning in nursing education.
• Addressing the gap between academic learning and practical training in nursing schools.

Public Perception & Nursing Image

• Overcoming stereotypes associated with the nursing profession.
• The impact of media representation on public perception of nurses.
• Promoting nursing as a gender-inclusive profession.

Rural Health & Nursing

• Challenges and rewards of nursing in rural communities.
• Strategies to improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
• Bridging the technology gap in rural healthcare settings.

Nursing Burnout & Well-being

• Identifying early signs of burnout among nursing professionals.
• Strategies for promoting mental well-being among nurses.
• The importance of work-life balance in the nursing profession.

Environmental Health & Nursing

• The nurse’s role in addressing environmental health issues.
• Impacts of climate change on healthcare and nursing practices.
• Strategies for nursing care during natural disasters.

Global Health & Travel Nursing

• Adapting nursing practices for different cultural contexts.
• The challenges and rewards of travel nursing.
• The role of nurses in global health diplomacy.

Need Assistance with Your Nursing Essay?

Struggling to get your thoughts down on paper? At writeondeadline.com , we offer premium essay writing services to help you craft an impeccable nursing essay. Our team of experts understands the nuances of nursing topics, ensuring you receive a well-researched and coherent essay. Let us handle the writing while you focus on your passion for nursing. Contact us today to get started!

Useful References

• American Nurses Association
• National League for Nursing
• World Health Organization – Nursing and Midwifery
• Journal of Advanced Nursing

Writing Tips for Nursing School Students

• Nursing School Writing Types
• Writing a Nursing Essay
• Citations Guide
• Common Writing Mistakes
• Writing Resources

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Writing is an essential skill nurses should achieve proficiency in early in their career. It is a crucial part of the profession, as nurses need to be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.

While verbal communication also plays a vital role in nursing, being able to write well builds the nurse’s ability to provide better care.

Being able to accurately detail a patient’s personal history, symptoms, and diagnosis allows for the execution of a precise treatment plan that is clearly communicated to all parties involved, both professional and personal.

From registered nurses to clinical nurses and beyond, being able to communicate effectively and efficiently is a critical soft skill that will help nurses in any role increase their ability to treat their patients.

This guide provides an overview of the types of writing nurses will experience throughout their educational training. Utilize the following tips and tricks to help strengthen your writing skills, which will ultimately help in the development of transferable career skills .

Types of Writing Nurses Will Do in School

Personal statements for nursing school.

Nursing schools want candidates who meet academic and professional requirements. They also want a candidate who demonstrates a sincere passion for patient care and individual connections. You should always craft a personal statement, even when the application doesn’t explicitly require one. Personal statements allow you to describe your goals, characteristics, credentials, volunteer work, and meaningful life experiences. A well-crafted essay can help you stand out among other qualified applicants. And, as with any piece of writing, you must take the time to revise.

In your personal statement, you should portray yourself as determined and empathetic, with characteristics, goals, work ethic, and healthcare philosophy that align with a program’s values. Some nursing schools ask for a general personal statement, while others require a specific prompt. Colleges commonly ask students to describe a hardship they overcame, a difficult task they accomplished, or a professional goal they hope to achieve through the program. Many schools also ask students to detail previous experiences in healthcare. You may decide to write about how you connect with patients or how you provide practical and emotional support to loved ones.

You will also encounter writing prompts during examinations, including standardized tests like the GRE or MCAT, nursing school entrance exams , and course-specific evaluations. You may also take exams to get state licensure or professional certification. In most of these instances, you will need to write one or several long-form essays. Proper planning is key. Though you won’t know what specific prompt the test will require, you can expect certain common topics. You can search online or use study guides to determine which prompts usually appear on each test.

On test day, you should begin by creating an outline that lists three main points in response to the prompt. Using these points, work backwards to write a central thesis to guide the essay’s structure. Review what you’ve written to ensure that the essay actually responds to the prompt at hand. Be sure to leave time to correct spelling, grammar, and stylistic errors.

Research Papers

Like essays, research papers follow a long-form structure. Unlike an essay, which heavily relies on the writer’s point of view, a research paper presents an in-depth investigation of a topic using data, expert opinions, and insights. While an essay evaluates general critical thinking and writing skills, a research paper tests your knowledge, research skills, and original contributions. Research papers also allow you to prove you understand what has been argued and discovered about a topic. Research papers, especially at the graduate and doctoral levels, require independent research and analyses. These papers sometimes take months or years to complete.

To write a successful research paper, you should pick a topic relevant to your interests and the nursing field. Possibilities include elderly care challenges, patient safety and ethics, mental health treatment and regulations in the U.S., and nursing shortages and possible solutions. Whatever your choice, you must plan accordingly. Advanced papers such as dissertations may require funding or help from professors. Research papers often consist of the following sections: abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. You should keep this general structure in mind as you prepare notes and outlines.

How Do You Write a Nursing Essay?

In nursing school, essay writing includes academic papers, personal narratives, and professional compositions. You should become familiar with each of the five major forms below. There are many similarities between these essay types, such as an overarching thesis and a supportive, logical structure. You should support claims with factual, statistical, anecdotal, and rhetorical evidence. However, each form requires distinct skills to achieve specific results.

Comparative

Cause and effect, citations guide for nursing students.

Citations allow readers to know where information came from. By citing sources, you avoid plagiarizing or stealing another person’s ideas, research, language, and analyses. Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is one of the most egregious errors one can make. Consequences for plagiarism include automatic course failure, disciplinary actions from the university, and even legal repercussions. You should take special care to ensure you properly cite sources.

Which Style Should Nursing Students Use?

Because nurses rely on scientific terms and information, professionals in the field usually use APA style. Regardless of the purpose and specific genre of your text, you should always strive for concise, objective, and evidenced-based writing. You can expect to learn APA style as soon as you enroll in a major course. However, you should also prepare to learn other styles as part of your academic training. For example, freshman composition classes tend to focus on MLA guidelines.

Common Writing Mistakes Students Make

Active vs. passive voice.

Active and passive voice represent two different ways to present the same piece of information. Active voice focuses on the subject performing an action. For example, the dog bites the boy. This format creates clear, concise, and engaging writing. Using active voice, nurses might write, I administered patient care at 11:00. Passive voice, on the other hand, focuses on the object of the sentence or the action being performed. For example, the boy was bitten by the dog. A passive sentence is usually one that contains the verb “to be.” Using passive voice, you might write, patient care was administered at 11:00.

Professionals in the sciences often use passive voice in their writing to create an objective tone and authorial distance. Passive voice can prioritize specific terms, actions, evidence, or research over the writer’s presence. Additionally, nurses use passive voice because it is usually clear that the reported thoughts, actions, and opinions come from them. However, you must also learn how to use active voice.

Punctuation

There are 14 punctuation marks in the English language, each with multiple and sometimes overlapping uses. Additionally, certain punctuation marks only make sense in highly specific and nuanced grammatical instances. To master punctuation, you must learn through practice, particularly by revising your own writing.

For example, colons and semicolons are often used interchangeably, when they actually serve distinct purposes. Generally used before itemized lists, colons stand in for the phrases “here is what I mean” or “that is to say.” For example, I am bringing three things to the picnic: applesauce, napkins, and lemonade. Semicolons separate two independent clauses connected through topic or meaning. For example, It was below zero; Ricardo wondered if he would freeze to death. Comma splices, which create run on sentences, are another common mistake. You can identify a comma splice by learning the differences between an independent and dependent clause.

Grammar refers to the rules of a particular language system. Grammar determines how users can structure words and form sentences with coherent meaning. Aspects include syntax (the arrangement of words to convey their mutual relations in a sentence) and semantics (how individual words and word groups are understood). Unless you major in writing, literature, etymology, or another related field, you generally won’t examine English grammar deeply. Through years of cognitive development and practice, native users implicitly understand how to effectively employ the language.

Distinct grammatical systems exist for each language and, sometimes, even within a single language. For example, African American Vernacular English uses different syntactic rules than General American English. You should learn grammatical terms and definitions. Common errors include subject/verb agreement, sentence fragments, dangling modifiers, and vague or incorrect pronoun usage. Hasty writers can also misuse phonetically similar words (your/you’re, its/it’s, and there/their/they’re).

Writing Resources for Nursing Students

Apa style central, reviewed by:.

Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, RN

Shri Deshaies is a nurse educator with over 20 years of experience teaching in hospital, nursing school, and community settings. Deshaies’ clinical area of expertise is critical care nursing and she is a certified critical care nurse. She has worked in various surgical ICUs throughout her career, including cardiovascular, trauma, and neurosurgery.

Shri Deshaies is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners here .

Page last reviewed November 30, 2021

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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Nursing Essay Examples

Nursing Essay Examples That Will Help You Write a Stellar Paper

Published on: May 6, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

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Many nursing students struggle with writing effective nursing essays, which are an essential part of their education and professional development.

Poor essay writing skills can lead to low grades and an inability to effectively communicate important information.

This blog provides a comprehensive guide to writing nursing essays with examples and tips for effective writing. Whether you are a nursing student or a professional looking to improve your writing skills, this blog has something for you. 

By following the tips and examples provided, you can write compelling nursing essays that showcase your dedication to the field.

Let’s get started.

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What is a Nursing Essay?

A nursing essay is a type of academic writing that aims to explore a particular topic related to nursing. It also presents a clear and concise argument or viewpoint supported by evidence. 

Nursing essays can take many forms, including:

• Descriptive essays
• Reflective essays
• Analytical essays
• Persuasive essays

What is the Importance of the Nursing Essay?

Nursing essays are important for several reasons. First, they help nursing students develop critical thinking skills by requiring them to analyze and evaluate information.

Second, they help students develop research skills by requiring them to locate and use credible sources to support their arguments. 

Third, nursing essays help students develop communication skills by requiring them to present their ideas clearly and concisely in writing. Finally, nursing essays are important for nursing education because they prepare students for the types of writing.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

To help students better understand how to write nursing essays, it can be helpful to review examples.

Below are some examples of nursing essays.

Nursing School Essay Examples

College Nursing Essay Examples

Graduate Nursing Essay Examples

Nursing Scholarship Essay Examples

Nursing Essay Conclusion Examples

Nursing Essay Examples of Different Fields

Nursing is a diverse field with many different specialties and areas of focus. As a result, nursing essays can take many different forms and cover a wide range of topics. 

Given below are some examples of different types of nursing essays:

Personal Philosophy Of Nursing - Essay Examples

Cal State Fullerton Nursing Essay Examples

Evidence Based Practice Nursing In Medical Field - Essay Examples

Leadership In Nursing And Healthcare Professionals - Essay Examples

Principles Of Professional Practice Of Nursing Professionals And Pharmacists

If you're seeking additional examples of nursing essays, you're in luck! 

Below are some more examples that can help you gain a better understanding of nursing essays:

Health Care And Reflective Models For Nursing - Essay Examples

History Of Nursing Essay Examples

Ethical Dilemma In Nurses Work - Essay Examples

Mental Health Nursing Essay Examples

Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

Working In A Team And Collaboration In Nursing

How to Write a Nursing Essay

Writing a nursing essay can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding experience.

Here are the key steps involved in writing a nursing essay:

Understanding the Topic and Question

The first step in writing a nursing essay is to carefully read and understand the topic and question. 

This will help you determine what information you need to research and include in your essay. Make sure you understand any key terms or concepts related to the topic. Consider different perspectives or viewpoints that may be relevant.

Researching the Topic

Once you have a clear understanding of the topic and question, it's time to research. 

Start by gathering information from credible sources such as academic journals, textbooks, and government websites. 

Consider both primary and secondary sources, and make sure to take detailed notes as you read.

Organizing and Outlining the Essay

Once you have completed your research, it's time to organize your ideas and create an outline for your essay. 

Start by identifying the main points or arguments you want to make, and then organize them into a logical order that flows well. 

Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Writing the Essay

With your outline in place, it's time to start writing your essay. Make sure to follow your outline closely, and use clear and concise language that effectively communicates your ideas. 

Use evidence from your research to support your arguments, and cite your sources appropriately.

Editing and Revising the Essay

Once you have completed a first draft of your essay, take some time to edit and revise it. Look for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, and make sure your essay is well-organized and flows well. 

Consider asking a peer or instructor to review your essay and provide feedback.

What To Include In Your Nursing Essay

When writing a nursing essay, there are several key elements that you should include. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Introduction

Your introduction should provide a brief overview of the topic and purpose of your essay. It should also include a clear thesis statement that presents your main argument or point of view.

• Background Information

Provide some background information on the topic to help the reader better understand the context of your essay. This can include relevant statistics, historical information, or other contextual details.

• Evidence and Examples

Use evidence and examples from your research to support your arguments and demonstrate your knowledge of the topic. Make sure to cite your sources appropriately and use a variety of sources to strengthen your argument.

• Analysis and Evaluation

Provide analysis and evaluation of the evidence and examples you've presented. This can include discussing strengths and weaknesses, comparing and contrasting different viewpoints, or offering your own perspective on the topic.

Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement. It should also offer some final thoughts or suggestions for further research or action.

Nursing Essay Topic Ideas

Choosing a topic for your nursing essay can be challenging, but there are many areas in the field that you can explore. Here are some nursing essay topic ideas to consider:

• The role of technology in nursing practice
• The impact of cultural diversity on healthcare delivery
• Nursing leadership and management in healthcare organizations
• Ethical issues in nursing practice
• The importance of patient-centered care in nursing practice
• The impact of evidence-based practice on nursing care
• The role of nursing in promoting public health
• Nursing education and the importance of lifelong learning
• The impact of nursing shortages on healthcare delivery
• The importance of communication in nursing practice

These are just a few ideas to get you started. You can also explore other topics related to nursing that interest you or align with your academic or professional goals. 

Remember to choose a topic that is relevant, interesting, and feasible to research and write about.

Tips for Writing an Effective Nursing Essay

Writing a successful nursing essay requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you write an effective nursing essay:

• Writing Concisely and Clearly

Nursing essays should be written in clear and concise language, avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terms. Use simple language and short sentences to help ensure that your ideas are communicated clearly and effectively.

• Stating a Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should clearly state your main argument and provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and located at the end of your introduction.

• Using Proper Citation and Referencing

Citing and referencing your sources is crucial in any academic writing, including nursing essays. Make sure to use proper citation and referencing styles, such as APA or MLA. Include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your essay.

• Seeking Feedback and Revising

Before submitting your nursing essay, seek feedback from peers, professors, or writing tutors. Use their feedback to revise and improve your essay. Make sure that it is well-structured, coherent, and effectively communicates your point of view.

By following these tips, you can write a nursing essay that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field.

In conclusion, writing a successful nursing essay requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. 

To showcase your knowledge in the field of nursing, it is important to have a clear understanding of the topic at hand. When writing your nursing essay, be sure to include relevant examples, incorporate current research, and use proper citation and referencing. 

And remember , seeking feedback and revising your essay is key to ensuring that it effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

If you need help with your nursing essay or any other type of academic writing, consider using our AI essay writer . 

Our nursing essay writing service can provide personalized support to help you succeed in your academic goals.

So, why wait? Contact us to get college essay writing help today! 

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Nursing Care Plan - Tips, Samples & Writing Guide

Ever wondered how nurses seamlessly take over care for a patient they've never met? How do they prioritize and know what actions to take? The answer lies in the nursing care plan—a vital tool that guides their critical thinking and patient care from the moment they start their shift.

This plan not only organizes the care process but also ensures clear communication among the nursing team. Without it, communication can become disjointed, patient information may be scattered, and important details might be overlooked, especially during hectic shifts.

In this article, the experts at our essay services will explain the essentials of care plans, how they're created, key practices to stick to, and give nursing care plan examples that can serve as practical templates.

What is a Nursing Care Plan

A nursing care plan outlines the specific needs and care required for a patient, serving as a vital tool for nurses, patients, and healthcare providers to collaborate effectively. It documents the patient's health journey consistently.

Nursing care planning begins upon admission and adapts as the patient's condition changes. The aim is to deliver tailored care that meets the patient's individual needs, whether in acute care, illness prevention, rehabilitation, or maintaining well-being. Even in cases where recovery isn't feasible, nursing care focuses on pain management and ensuring comfort.

By using a problem-solving process that combines nursing skills, systems theory, and the scientific method, nursing care plans become effective and personalized. This approach guarantees that each patient receives the best care for their unique needs. If you're feeling unsure, let us guide you with our nursing paper help until you gain confidence!

Completely Lost on Nursing Care Plans?

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EssayPro Nurse Student Templates

Don't have ideas to create a nursing plan? Get our nurse student templates via link .

Why Do People Use Nursing Care Plans?

People use nursing care plans because they contribute significantly to the overall quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Here's a more detailed look:

As you become more familiar with the nursing field, head over to our article that explains healthcare management salary entry-level in more detail.

Types of Nursing Care Plans

There are four main types of care plans that ensure patients get the right care tailored to their needs, with quality and consistency across different healthcare settings. Let's take a closer look at each one.

Formal Care Plans

Formal care plans detail specific nursing interventions based on standardized diagnoses and assessment data. They offer a structured approach to care, ensuring consistent and thorough treatment among different healthcare providers.

Main components:

• Detailed patient history and assessment data.
• Standardized nursing diagnoses.
• Specific, measurable goals and outcomes.
• Step-by-step nursing interventions.
• Evaluation criteria to assess progress.
• Long-term care facilities.

Informal Care Plans

Informal care plans are less structured and created on-the-go by nurses to address immediate patient needs and priorities. These plans are flexible and easily adaptable to changes in patient conditions or unexpected events. They allow for rapid response to patient needs, are highly adaptable to varying situations and useful in environments where quick decision-making is essential.

Characteristics:

• Created spontaneously based on real-time patient assessment.
• Focus on immediate and short-term needs.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing conditions.
• Outpatient settings.
• Emergency situations.

Standardized Care Plans

Standardized care plans are pre-written templates that outline interventions for common health conditions or procedures. They streamline care delivery by offering evidence-based guidelines that can be customized for individual patients.

Components:

• Templates based on best practices and clinical guidelines.
• Commonly used for frequent conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
• Includes standard interventions and expected outcomes.
• Surgical units.
• Rehabilitation centers.
• General medical wards.

Individualized Care Plans

Individualized care plans adapt to the unique circumstances and goals of each patient. They promote patient-centered care by involving patients in decision-making and addressing their specific health concerns.

Components :

• Comprehensive patient assessment.
• Personalized goals and outcomes.
• Custom interventions based on patient preferences and needs.
• Continuous evaluation and modification based on patient feedback and progress.
• Primary care clinics.
• Mental health facilities.
• Specialized care units (e.g., oncology, pediatrics).

Nursing Process: What are the 5 Main Components of a Care Plan?

The nursing process began in the 1950s with three steps: assessment, planning, and evaluation. These steps, based on scientific methods, included observing, measuring, gathering data, and analyzing findings. Over time, the process evolved to five steps and became essential in nursing education and practice.

Nursing Process Example

Here is an example illustrating how the nursing process unfolds:

A nurse assesses a patient who recently suffered a fall at home. The patient complains of sharp pain in their lower back, rated at 8 out of 10. After a thorough assessment, including imaging tests confirming a vertebral compression fracture, the nurse identifies acute pain as a nursing diagnosis. The nurse then starts planning on alleviating pain and promoting comfort. This involves administering prescribed pain relief medication intravenously and positioning the patient with supportive pillows. To evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions, the nurse asks the patient to rate their pain regularly on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on the patient's feedback, the nurse decides whether the interventions need adjustment or have been successful in managing the pain effectively.

Can’t wait to step into similar processes? First, let's see how long is a nursing school and find out how much time you need to start the career you truly enjoy.

How to Write a Nursing Care Plan

Now that you have a grasp of the fundamentals, let's proceed to writing a nursing care plan. This plan will follow the five steps we've covered. To make each step clearer, we'll go through some examples to help you learn more effectively.

Step 1: Assess the Patient's Condition

The first step in creating a nursing care plan is to assess the patient's condition thoroughly. This means carefully observing and gathering information about the patient's health status to understand their needs and challenges.

For example, a nurse might check the patient's vital signs like blood pressure, pulse rate, and temperature. They may also ask the patient questions about their symptoms, medical history, and any medications they are taking. Observing how the patient moves and interacts can also provide valuable insights into their condition.

In addition to direct observation, nurses may review medical records or consult with other healthcare providers to gather a complete picture of the patient's health. Assessment involves both subjective and objective data. Subjective data includes what the patient tells the nurse about how they feel, such as pain levels or concerns. Objective data includes measurable information like lab results or physical measurements.

Step 2: Determine Nursing Diagnoses

The next step in creating nursing care plans involves analyzing the data collected during the assessment. The goal is to pinpoint the specific health problems that the nursing interventions will focus on addressing.

Nursing diagnoses are clinical judgments about a patient's responses to health conditions or life processes. These diagnoses help nurses prioritize and plan interventions to address the patient's needs effectively.

For instance, based on assessment findings, a nurse might identify nursing diagnoses such as "Impaired Physical Mobility related to recent surgery" or "Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)."

To determine nursing diagnoses, nurses use standardized classification systems like NANDA-I (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International). These systems provide a framework for identifying common health issues and their related factors.

Step 3: Establish Goals with the Patient

When establishing goals, the nurse collaborates with the patient to set achievable and meaningful outcomes. This involves discussing with the patient what they hope to achieve in terms of their health and well-being.

For example, goals could include improving mobility after surgery, managing pain effectively, or achieving a certain level of independence in daily activities.

Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This means they should clearly define what is to be achieved, how progress will be measured, and within what timeframe.

Involving the patient in goal-setting empowers them to take an active role in their own care and increases their motivation to participate in interventions. It also ensures that the care plan aligns with the patient's values and preferences, which can improve overall satisfaction and outcomes.

Step 4: Carry Out Nursing Interventions

The next step in writing a nursing care plan is to carry out interventions that are based on evidence-based practices and address the specific nursing diagnoses identified earlier. They can include a wide range of activities such as administering medications, providing wound care, assisting with activities of daily living, educating patients and families about health conditions and self-care, and implementing safety measures.

For example, if a patient's goal is to manage pain effectively, nursing interventions may include administering pain medications as prescribed, applying heat or cold therapy, teaching relaxation techniques, and monitoring the patient's response to treatment.

Nurses collaborate with other healthcare team members and use their clinical judgment to determine the most appropriate interventions for each patient. They also reassess and adjust interventions as needed based on the patient's response and changing health status.

Step 5: Evaluate Progress and Adjust the Care Plan Accordingly

Evaluation includes comparing the patient's current health status with the baseline established during the initial assessment. Nurses use both subjective feedback from the patient and objective data such as vital signs, lab results, and observations to measure progress.

For example, if a goal was set to improve a patient's mobility after surgery, the nurse would assess the patient's ability to move independently, any pain or discomfort experienced, and whether mobility aids are still necessary.

Based on the evaluation findings, the nurse determines whether the interventions are effective in meeting the patient's goals. If progress is satisfactory, the care plan may continue as planned. However, if goals are not being met or if there are new developments in the patient's condition, adjustments to the care plan are necessary.

Adjustments may involve modifying existing interventions, adding new interventions, or revising the goals themselves to better reflect the patient's current needs and priorities. This iterative process ensures that the care plan remains dynamic and responsive to the patient's changing health status.

Nursing Care Plan Examples

Below you'll find nursing care plan examples pdf to help you understand the concepts we've discussed. These examples show how nurses plan and provide care in real situations, giving you practical insights into effective patient care strategies.

7 Tips for Effective Care Planning

Before you start writing a nursing care plan, follow these tips from our professional custom writing service to ensure that your plan is effective, patient-centered, and supportive of positive health outcomes.

• Involve the Patient : Include the patient in setting goals and planning care. Their input helps tailor the plan to their needs and preferences.
• Be Specific : Set clear and detailed goals that are measurable and achievable. This helps track progress and ensures everyone understands what needs to be accomplished.
• Use Evidence-Based Practices : Base your interventions on proven methods and best practices in nursing so that the care provided is effective and safe.
• Collaborate with the Healthcare Team : Work closely with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare providers. Collaboration ensures comprehensive care and coordination across disciplines.
• Regularly Evaluate and Adjust : Continuously assess the patient's progress and adjust the care plan as needed. This keeps the plan relevant and responsive to changes in the patient's condition.
• Educate the Patient and Family : Provide clear instructions and education about the care plan. This empowers the patient and family to participate actively in their own care and promotes better outcomes.
• Document Thoroughly : Keep detailed records of assessments, interventions, and evaluations. Good documentation supports continuity of care and helps communicate the patient's status to the healthcare team.

The Bottom Line

As we conclude, remember the key takeaway: in order to provide the best care for each patient, follow these steps—assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail. By carefully creating your nursing plan and following a nursing student resume you'll keep things organized, make smart decisions, and adjust quickly to any changes in your patient's condition!

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What is a Nursing Care Plan?

What are the 5 main components of a care plan, how to do a nursing care plan.

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specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (2021). Chapter 4 Nursing Process . National Library of Medicine; Chippewa Valley Technical College. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK591807/
• Toney-Butler, T. J., & Thayer, J. M. (2023, April 10). Nursing Process . National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499937/  
• Doenges, M., & Murr. (n.d.). The very best patient care begins with the very best care planning resources …now and throughout your career! Nurse’s Pocket Guide diagnoses, Prioritized interventions and rationales . https://alraziuni.edu.ye/uploads/pdf/Nursing-Care-Plans-Edition-9-Murr-Alice-Doenges-Marilynn-Moorehouse-Mary.pdf  

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Guest Essay

Nurses Deserve Better. So Do Their Patients.

By Linda H. Aiken

Dr. Aiken is a professor of nursing and sociology and the founding director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed strengths in the nation’s health care system — one of the greatest being our awesome nurses. But it also exposed many weaknesses, foremost among them being chronic nurse understaffing in hospitals , nursing homes and schools .

More nurses died of job-related Covid than any other type of health care worker. The more than 1,140 U.S. nurses who lost their lives in the first year of the pandemic knew the risks to themselves and their families. And yet they stayed in harm’s way. They cared for their fallen co-workers. They went to New York from around the country to fight on the front lines in the first Covid surge. Nurses from Northwell Health in New York returned that support by deploying to the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit in December when a surge occurred there.

We celebrate nurses now. We call them heroes. But if we value their sacrifices and want them to be there when we need them, we must prevent a return to the poor prepandemic working conditions that led to high nurse burnout and turnover rates even before Covid.

As a nurse with extensive clinical experience in hospitals, I found it nearly impossible to guarantee safe, effective and humane care to my patients. And so I established the world’s leading research center on nursing outcomes to understand the causes of nurse understaffing in the United States and abroad and to find solutions to the problem.

The United States has a robust supply of nurses . And there is no evidence that recruits to nursing have been deterred by Covid. To the contrary, applications to nursing schools increased during the pandemic.

Death, Through a Nurse’s Eyes

A short film offering a firsthand perspective of the brutality of the pandemic inside a covid-19 i.c.u..

I was looking through the window of a Covid I.C.U. And that’s when I realized I might see someone die. I didn’t even know who she was. But I was filled with immense grief as she edged closer to death by the hour. What I didn’t know yet was that by the time I left just two days later, at least three patients would be dead. The vaccine offers hope, but the sad truth is that the virus continues its brutal slaughter in I.C.U.s like this one in Phoenix, Ariz. The only people allowed in are health care workers. They’re overworked and underpaid in a deluged hospital. I wanted to know what it is like for them now, after a year of witnessing so much death. Eager to show us their daily reality, two nurses wore cameras so that for the first time we could see the I.C.U. through their eyes. “Unless you’re actually in there, you have no idea. Nobody can ever even imagine what goes on in there.” [MUSIC PLAYING] This I.C.U. contains 11 of the hospital’s sickest Covid patients. Most of them are in their 40s and 50s. And they are all on death’s door. It’s an incredibly depressing place. I blurred the patients faces to protect their privacy. But I also worried that blurring would rob them of their humanity. The family of this patient, the one who is rapidly declining, allowed her face to be shown. And they readily told me about her. Her name is Ana Maria Aragon. She’s a school administrator and a 65-year-old grandmother. Sara Reynolds, the nurse in charge of this I.C.U., organized a video call with Ana’s family to give them a chance to be with her just in case she didn’t make it. “It just breaks my heart when I hear families saying goodbye.” You might expect the doctors to be running the show. But it is really the nurses who are providing the vast majority of the care. “We do everything. We give them baths every night.” “Rubbing lotion on their feet.” “Shave the guys’ faces.” “Cleaning somebody up that had a bowel movement. It doesn’t even register as something gross.” “Look, I walk into the room. I say, hey, sounds like you have Covid. And I might order a chest X-ray. I might order blood work. I might order catheters. All that stuff is done by the nurse. I may have spent 10 minutes. The nurse might spend seven or eight hours actually in the room, caring for them. Let’s say there was a day that nurses didn’t come to the hospital. It’s like, why are you even opening?” “Ibuprofen.” 12-hour-plus shifts, isolated in this windowless room, these nurses survive by taking care of each other. “Aww, thank you.” And by finding small doses of levity. [MUSIC - JAMES BAY, “LET IT GO”] “(SINGING) Wrong. Breeze.” “I’m getting older now, and there’s all these new young nurses coming out. And I feel like a mom to all of them. Morgan, she’s got big aspirations. She loves to snowboard, and she’s so smart. And Deb, Deb’s just— she’s funny.” “I tease her all the time. I can tell her to do anything, and she’ll just do it because I think she’s scared of me because I just always say, make sure you have no wrinkles in those sheets.” The patients spend most of their time on their stomachs because it makes it easier to breathe. But the nurses have to turn them often to prevent pressure sores. There was one woman in her 50s who was so critical that this simple procedure risked killing her. “Even just turning them on their side, their blood pressure will drop. Their oxygen levels will drop.” “Her heart had actually stopped the day before. And so the concern was if it was going to make her heart stop again.” “Then come over. Push.” “We were all watching the monitors.” “I felt relieved like, whew, we did it.” Arizona’s a notoriously anti-mask state. And it faced a huge post-holiday surge in Covid cases. In January, the month I was there, Arizona had the highest rate of Covid in the world. As a result, I.C.U.s like this one have too many patients and not enough nurses. “Because they’re so critical, they need continuous monitoring, sometimes just one nurse to one patient with normally what we have is two patients to one nurse. But there definitely are times when we’re super stretched and have to have a three-to-one assignment.” A nurse shortage has plagued hospitals over the past year. To help, traveler nurses have had to fly into hotspots. Others have been forced out of retirement. Especially strained are poorer hospitals like Valleywise, which serves a low-income, predominantly Latino community. “Many of our patients are uninsured. Some of them have Medicaid, which pays something but unfortunately not enough.” This means they simply can’t compete with wealthier hospitals for nurses. “There is a bidding war. The average nurse here, give or take, makes about $35 an hour. Other hospitals, a short mile or two away, might pay them $100.” “We lost a lot of staff because they took the travel contracts. How can you blame them? It’s sometimes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a lot of money.” “Every single day I’m off, I get a call or a text. ‘Hey, we desperately need help. We need nurses. Can you come in?’” This nursing shortage isn’t just about numbers. “Physically it’s exhausting. We’re just running. We don’t have time to eat or drink or use the restroom.” “They have kids at home, doing online school. And I think, gosh, they haven’t even been able to check on their kids to see how they’re doing.” “My days off, I spend sleeping half the day because you’re exhausted. And eating because we don’t get to eat here often.” Nurses have been proud to be ranked the most trusted profession in America for nearly two decades. But during Covid, many worry they aren’t able to uphold the standards that earned them such respect. “I can’t give the quality of care that I normally would give.” “It’s absolutely dangerous.” “That’s demoralizing because we care. We’re nurses. It’s our DNA.” Ana had been in the hospital for over a month. Her family told me she was born in Mexico. She came to the States 34 years ago, first working in the fields before eventually landing her dream job in education. She’s beloved at her school. Former students often stop her in town and excitedly shout, Miss Anita. She was very cautious about Covid. She demanded her family always wear a mask and yelled at them to stay home. Yet, tragically, she somehow still caught it. “She had been declining over the course of several days. It’s a picture we have seen far too often that we know, this one is going to be coming soon.” Because there is no cure for Covid, the staff can only do so much. Once all the ventilator settings and the medications are maxed out, keeping a patient alive will only do more harm than good. So Ana’s family was forced to make a tough decision. “And I talked to family and let them know that we have offered her, we have given, we have done everything that we can, there’s nothing more that we can do. The family made the decision to move to comfort care.” “If I’m there while someone’s passing, I always hold their hand. I don’t want somebody to die alone. That’s something that brings me peace.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Dance floor is packed. People hugging, holding hands, and almost no one wearing a face mask.” “I think like many health care workers, I’m angry a lot. And my faith in humanity has dwindled.” “How can you think this isn’t a real thing? How can you think that it’s not a big deal?” “Free your face. Free your face.” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has advocated for personal responsibility over mask mandates even though he’s been photographed maskless at a gathering and his son posted a video of a crowded dance party. “Even on the outside, they go, I don’t care. I’m not wearing a mask. I’m not getting the vaccine. That’s bullshit. The second they come into the hospital, they want to be saved. Never do they say, ‘I made the decision. I’m accepting this. Don’t do anything, doctor.’” Half a million people in this country have died from Covid. Many have been in I.C.U.s with nurses, not family members holding patients’ hands. “I always wonder, are they still going to be there when I get to work? It’s on my mind when I get home. Are they going to make it through the night? There’s one that I can think of right now.” One patient in his late 50s was so critical that he required constant supervision. Each of his breaths looked painful. “There was one day that he was kind of— he was looking a little bit better. And so he was able to shake his head and smile. And we set up a video call for him. And it was just the sweetest thing ever. I could hear his little grandson— he was probably 4 years old or so. And I saw him on the screen, too. And he was just jumping up and down, so excited. ‘You’re doing it, Grandpa. You’re doing it. We love you. Look at you. You’re getting better.’ It just broke my heart. It broke my heart. He’s one that I don’t think is going to be there when I get back on Sunday.” But I’d already been told something Sara hadn’t. The patient’s family had decided to take him off life support. “Yesterday they did? Oh. And I just think of his little grandson. And ‘you’re doing it, Grandpa. You’re doing it.’” He wasn’t the only patient who didn’t make it. When I went back to the hospital, I noticed that the bed of the patient I’d seen get flipped over was empty. My heart sank. I knew this meant she’d passed away. “What’s sad is when I go back, those beds will be full. They’ll have somebody else there just as sick with another long stretch of a few weeks ahead of them before it’s time for their family to make that decision.” I’d never before seen someone die. And even though I didn’t know these people, witnessing their deaths left me sleepless, exhausted, and depressed. It’s unfathomable to me that these nurses have gone through that every single week, sometimes every single day for an entire year. I assumed the nurses must block out all the deaths to be able to keep going, but they don’t. They grieve every single one. “I’ve always loved being a nurse. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. And these last couple months, it’s definitely made me question my career choice.” And what makes their situation so tragic is that many of these nurses hide their trauma, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. “We’re the only ones that know what we’re going through. I don’t really want to tell my family about everything because I don’t want them to feel the same emotions that I feel. I don’t want them to know that I carry that burden when it— that it is a lot. I’m Mom. I’m strong. I can do anything. And I don’t want them to see that.” Leadership in the pandemic hasn’t come from elected officials or spiritual guides but from a group that is underpaid, overworked and considered secondary, even in their own workplaces. As so many others have dropped the ball, nurses have worked tirelessly out of the spotlight to save lives, often showing more concern for their patients than for themselves. I worry their trauma will persist long after we re-emerge from hibernation. Covid’s legacy will include a mass PTSD on a scale not felt since World War II. This burden should not be ignored. “Thank you. Thank you. I feel, yeah. And you’re all amazing.” [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Nursing Research: What It Is and Why It Matters

When people think about medical research, they often think about cutting-edge surgical procedures and revolutionary new medications. As important as those advancements are, another type of research is just as vital: nursing research.

This type of research informs and improves nursing practice. In many cases, it’s focused on improving patient care. Experienced nurses who have advanced nursing degrees and training in research design typically conduct this research.

Nurse research can explore any number of topics, from symptomology to patient diet. However, no matter the focus of a research project, nurse research can improve health care in an impressive number of ways. As experts in their field, nurse researchers can pursue a wide range of unique career advancement opportunities .

Why Nursing Research Matters: Examples of Research in Action

Research drives innovation in every industry. Given that nurses are on the front line of the health care industry, the research they do can be particularly impactful for patient outcomes. 

It Can Improve Patients’ Quality of Life

Patients diagnosed with life-threatening chronic diseases often undergo intense treatments with sometimes debilitating side effects. Nursing research is vital to helping such patients maintain a high quality of life.

For example, a 2018 study led by a nurse scientist explored why cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience severe nausea. While the physical toll of chemotherapy contributes to nausea, the study found that patients who have factors such as children to take care of, high psychological stress, and trouble performing day-to-day tasks are often much more likely to experience nausea.

By identifying the root causes of nausea and which patients are more likely to experience it, this research allows health care professionals to develop evidence-based care practices . This can include prescribing anti-nausea medications and connecting patients to mental health professionals.

It’s Central to Making Health Care More Equitabl

A Gallup survey reports that about 38% of Americans put off seeking medical treatment due to costs. Unfortunately, cost is only one factor that prevents people from seeking treatment. Many Americans don’t live close to medical providers that can meet their needs, aren’t educated about health, or encounter discrimination.

As complex as this issue is, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) asserts that the country’s nurse researchers can lead the charge in tackling it. In its strategic plan for 2022 to 2026, the institute highlights the following:

• Nursing has long been one of the most trusted professions in the country.
• Nurses often interact with patients, patients’ families, and communities more frequently than other health care professionals.
• The care that nurses provide must often take environmental and social factors into account.

These traits put nurses in the position to not only research health inequity but also put their research to work in their organizations. To help make that happen, NINR often funds nurse-led research projects focused on equity and social determinants of health. With that kind of backing, the field may become more transformative than ever.

It Can Strengthen the Health Care Workforce

While nursing research can be used to improve patient care, it can also be leveraged to solve issues health care professionals face daily. Research about the state of the health care workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect illustration.

In 2022, a team of nurse researchers published a report called Nursing Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for Our Profession After COVID-19 in the International Journal of Nursing Practice . In it, the authors provided concrete statistics about the following:

• Mental and physical health issues many nurses encountered
• Effects of increased workloads and decreased nurse-to-patient ratios
• How many nurses were planning to leave the profession altogether

As nurses themselves, the authors also offer actionable, evidence-based solutions to these issues, such as streamlining patient documentation systems and implementing employee wellness programs.

However, this type of research isn’t just important to solving workforce issues stemming from specific emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. By publishing quantifiable data about the challenges they face, nurse researchers empower other nurses and professional nursing organizations to advocate for themselves. This can help employers enact effective policies, support their nursing staff, and draw more talented people into the profession.

Career Opportunities in Nursing Research

Nurse researchers can work in any number of administrative, direct care, and academic roles. However, because nurse research often requires clinical care and data analysis skills, jobs in this field typically require an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

While many more nurse research career opportunities exist, here are four career paths nurses with research experience and advanced degrees can explore.

Nurse Researcher

Nurse researchers identify issues related to nursing practice, collect data about them, and conduct research projects designed to inform practice and policy. While they often work in academic medical centers and universities, they can work for any type of health care provider as well as health care advocacy agencies.

In addition to conducting research, these professionals typically provide direct patient care. Many also write papers for peer-reviewed journals and make presentations about their work at conferences.

Clinical Research Nurse

Despite having a similar title to nurse researchers, clinical research nurses have slightly different responsibilities. These professionals are usually in charge of providing care to patients participating in medical research projects, including clinical trials and nursing research initiatives. They also typically collect data about patient progress, coordinate care between different team members, and contribute to academic papers.

Occupational Health Nurse

Also referred to as environmental health nurses, occupational health nurses serve specific communities, such as professionals in a particular industry or people who live in a particular area. They often educate their communities about relevant health risks, advocate for stronger health and safety regulations, and run wellness programs.

To carry out their duties, occupational and environmental health nurses must typically research health trends about the people they serve, including living and working conditions that put them at risk for illness or injury. They can work for private companies and government agencies.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators prepare new nurses to enter the workforce or train experienced nurses in more advanced techniques. This can include teaching classes and providing on-the-job training. They often work for colleges, universities, and large health care providers.

While their duties don’t always include research, nurse educators must keep up with the health care industry’s needs and new patient care practices. This is so they can provide relevant education themselves and help their organizations design up-to-date curricula.

Make Nursing Research a Part of Your Journey

Conducting and implementing nurse research is a collaborative effort. It takes a team of informed leaders, skilled analysts, and creative educators to create effective, evidence-based policies. Those interested in pursuing nurse research should consider The University of Tulsa’s online MSN program , which can prepare you to fill any one of those roles and more.

All of TU’s MSN students take classes on research and evidence-based practices. However, the program’s specialty tracks allow students to take their studies in multiple research-oriented directions. For instance, if you’re interested in collecting and interpreting clinical data, you can choose the Informatics and Analysis track. If you have a passion for public health policy, the Public Health and Global Vision track includes classes on population health and epidemiology.

Delivered in a flexible online format, this program can be a great option for working nurses and nontraditional students alike. To find out more, read about TU’s admission policies and request more information today.

Recommended Readings

A Nurse Educator’s Role in the Future of Nursing

How Global Health Nursing Supports Population Health

What Can You Do With an MSN?

Gallup, “Record High in U.S. Put Off Medical Care Due to Cost in 2022”

International Journal of Nursing Practice, “Nursing Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for Our Profession After COVID‐19”

Journal of Pain Symptom Management , “Risk Factors Associated With Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in the Week Prior to the Next Cycle and Impact of Nausea on Quality of Life Outcomes”

Mayo Clinic, Nursing

National Institute of Nursing Research, Scientific Strategy: NINR’s Research Framework

National Institute of Nursing Research, The National Institute of Nursing Research 2022-2026 Strategic Plan

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