importance of nursing research essay

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The Importance of Nursing Research

Nursing research has a tremendous influence on current and future professional nursing practice, thus rendering it an essential component of the educational process. This article chronicles the learning experiences of two undergraduate nursing students who were provided with the opportunity to become team members in a study funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research. The application process, the various learning opportunities and responsibilities performed by the students, and the benefits and outcomes of the experience are described. The authors hope that by sharing their learning experiences, more students will be given similar opportunities using the strategies presented in this article. Nursing research is critical to the nursing profession and is necessary for continuing advancements that promote optimal nursing care.

Throughout the 21st century, the role of nurse has evolved significantly. Nurses work in a variety of settings, including the hospital, the classroom, the community health department, the business sector, home health care, and the laboratory. Although each role carries different responsibilities, the primary goal of a professional nurse remains the same: to be the client's advocate and provide optimal care on the basis of evidence obtained through research.

Baccalaureate programs in the United States prepare students for entry-level nursing positions. The focus is to care for individuals throughout the human life span. Knowledge is acquired from textbooks, classroom and Web-based instruction, simulation, and clinical experiences. The goal of all programs is for students to graduate as safe, entry-level professionals, having received a well-rounded exposure to the nursing field. Students are exposed to evidence-based nursing practice throughout their curriculum; however, the allocated time for nursing research is often limited. Many programs require only one 3-credit hour course for nursing research. This amount of time is limited, despite the broad spectrum of nursing research and its influence on current and future nursing care.

Research is typically not among the traditional responsibilities of an entry-level nurse. Many nurses are involved in either direct patient care or administrative aspects of health care. Nursing research is a growing field in which individuals within the profession can contribute a variety of skills and experiences to the science of nursing care. There are frequent misconceptions as to what nursing research is. Some individuals do not even know how to begin to define nursing research. According to Polit and Beck (2006) , nursing research is:

systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about issues of importance to nurses, including nursing practice, nursing education, and nursing administration. (p. 4)

Nursing research is vital to the practice of professional nursing, and the importance of its inclusion during undergraduate instruction cannot be overemphasized. Only with exposure and experience can students begin to understand the concept and importance of nursing research.

The purpose of this article is to describe undergraduate students’ experiences of becoming aware of and participating in a federally funded research study from the National Institute of Nursing Research. As a part of funding for the study, which was an AREA award ( A cademic R esearch E nhancement A ward, R15 mechanism), there were designated opportunities for student involvement. The primary aim of the research study was to investigate the effects of gene-environment interactions on risk factors of preclinical cardiovascular disease in a cohort of 585 young adults who all had a positive family history of cardiovascular disease (i.e., essential hypertension or premature myocardial infarction at age 55 or younger in one or both biological parents or in one or more grandparents), verified in the medical record. Specific genes examined included cytochrome P-450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1; cytochrome P-450 2A; glutathione S-transferase mu 1; and glutathione S-transferase theta 1. Cardiovascular-dependent measures were diastolic blood pressure, endothelium-dependent arterial vasodilation, left ventricular mass indexed for body size, systolic blood pressure, and total peripheral resistance. The effects of ethnicity and gender were also explored.

Learning Opportunity

The learning process began with the principal investigator (M.S.T.) of the study visiting the junior class (class of 2007) of baccalaureate students at the Medical College of Georgia. This particular student group was chosen due to their academic standing because they would have the chance to take full advantage of learning directly from a nurse researcher for one full year before graduation. The principal investigator briefly presented and discussed the growing field of nursing research, the advancements made by nursing research, and the critical role of nursing research to nursing practice. The principal investigator also presented an overview of the funded research study and extended an invitation to students to apply for two part-time positions on the grant that were designed specifically for nursing student involvement. Students recognized the excellent opportunity and were intrigued with the future possibilities. They understood this option was unique and appeared to be a great pathway for becoming an active participant in learning the nursing research process through involvement in an official nursing research study.

The principal investigator established objective criteria for the application process. The criteria included writing a maximum 1-page essay sharing the reasons why the students wanted to join the research project as a team member and also sharing their personal and professional goals for involvement in the study. Many students were interested; thus, it was a very competitive process. The principal investigator reviewed the essays and selected approximately 10 prospective individuals for an interview. The interview was an extension of the essay. At the interview, the principal investigator further described the positions, provided a detailed overview of the grant, and had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the student candidates. The students were encouraged to ask questions to further understand the expectations of the prospective opportunity. The interview also provided the students with increased exposure to the study's goal and more familiarization with the expectations of the funded positions.

After the interview process was completed, two individuals were selected, per the grant specifications. The selected individuals described the interview process as a positive experience that helped solidify their desire to become involved in the research study. The principal investigator emphasized that this job opportunity was designed to be a learning experience in which the students would be guided through the entire research study process and become members of a multidisciplinary team. Time responsibilities for each student included approximately 6 hours per week. The principal investigator communicated clearly that the nursing baccalaureate program was the first priority for the students, and thus provided a flexible work schedule.

Research Study Experience

The students began working in early april 2006. The first step in the work experience included 6 weeks of funded orientation. This was their first exposure to the research process; thus, it was important for the students to be provided with a strong foundation. Orientation included attending a team meeting and being introduced to the members of the multidisciplinary team (i.e., biostatistician, cardiologist, geneticists, nurse researcher, and psychologist, all of whom served as co-investigators, and the genetic laboratory personnel); reviewing the grant application; completing the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) (2000) ; completing the Roche educational program on genetics; and touring the worksite facilities. Reviewing the grant gave the students a better understanding of the specific aims and objectives of the study and the intended procedures of the genetic laboratory work in which the students would be involved. The complexity of the grant required the principal investigator to further explain and clarify specific details. The CITI training, which is required by the institution's Office of Human Research Protection, was completed online and took approximately 5.5 hours. The CITI program was presented in a tutorial format, and satisfactory completion of numerous quizzes was required. The task was tedious and time consuming, but valuable and essential, as it increased the awareness of the established codes of conduct for research. At the conclusion of the CITI training, the students understood the necessary policies and procedures for maintaining security and confidentiality of human subjects, the legal and ethical issues regarding the research process, and the essential procedures for research conduct.

Although the students had a basic understanding of genetics, they completed the Roche Genetics Education Program (2004) to gain a deeper understanding. The program was direct and easy to navigate and was excellent for all learning styles, as it contained both visual and auditory explanations. The explanations covered both basic and complex genetic concepts. Through the use of the genetics program, the students were able to comprehend abstract genetic details and to further understand the importance and influence of genetics on personal health. To conclude the orientation process, students were taught basic laboratory procedures, such as polymerase chain reaction and restrictive enzyme digestion, which were used to perform genotyping for the study. After these procedures had been observed several times, the students were given the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience with these laboratory techniques. Each of these components of the orientation process provided the students with the needed foundation for becoming involved in the research study.

After approximately 2 months of orientation, the students were ready to begin working in the genetics laboratory. One of the primary responsibilities of the students would be to further learn and become confident with genotyping techniques. The laboratory was shared among research personnel of several funded studies, with various research experiments being conducted concurrently. The students, under the supervision of the principal investigator and geneticist (H.Z.), also worked with experienced research assistants to perform the genotyping. The students maintained a daily log describing the laboratory genotyping procedures and experiments, and these logs were reviewed at team meetings. Although the actual procedure for polymerase chain reaction seemed straightforward, the students quickly learned that quality control must be used. Sometimes during genotyping, the DNA samples did not produce results. The students discovered that there are numerous contributing factors to successful polymerase chain reaction, such as quality of DNA templates, primer specifications, temperature settings, gel conditions, pipette measuring accuracy, and general laboratory techniques. Even the slightest error could result in permanent DNA sample loss, major experiment failure, or DNA sample contamination.

The students met with the research team members frequently to discuss and troubleshoot potential solutions and problem solve techniques that would foster improving the success rate and productivity of the genotyping. From the laboratory experience, the students learned that every detail must be considered and addressed precisely and meticulously when conducting experiments. Sometimes the process became frustrating, but the students soon discovered that patience and persistence were the most important attributes for a laboratory researcher to possess. The laboratory experience was an excellent hands-on learning opportunity. The students no longer viewed research as strictly information gathered from a journal or textbook, but rather as a physical act that required extreme concentration, dedication, and determination.

After spending numerous months in the laboratory performing the required genotyping, the students had the opportunity to be exposed to another role of a nurse researcher. They performed literature reviews regarding the study. Although the students had written papers in their nursing school program that required literature citations, they were not familiar with all of the library resources available to them. In no time, the students learned which library and online resources had the most validity and what would be the most relevant to their study. The literature search results provided the students and principal investigator with information on new studies that had been conducted on gene-environment interactions regarding tobacco smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease. From the literature review experience, the students learned the importance of being selective and time efficient. Often when a search was first begun, thousands of articles were listed, but the students learned the importance of narrowing the searches to the specific areas of focus. After the students completed their searches, they met with the principal investigator, who provided direction on the articles identified as the most relevant to the study.

The students continued working with the principal investigator during data review, analysis, and preparation of dissemination of the results (i.e., the publishing process). They helped to prepare an abstract submission of the study presented at an international meeting ( Tingen et al., 2007 ). They also helped with the preparation of manuscripts of the study results. By the conclusion of their work experience, the students will have been exposed to and participated in the entire research process.

Benefits and Outcomes

From the students’ perspectives, this opportunity was extremely beneficial. Prior to this experience, the students were not familiar with nursing research. Their original perception of research was that it was conducted by people with chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and genetic degrees in laboratories at major universities. They now realize that nursing and research can be combined and that optimal nursing care is dependent on the latest research findings. In addition, the students believe this opportunity has been beneficial in learning that nurse researchers are valuable to nurses in other settings. For example, one of the long-term goals of this research study is to develop appropriate interventions for children who are more susceptible to and at risk for the harmful effects of tobacco smoke due to their genetic heritage. The information obtained by a nurse researcher can be disseminated to nurses who work directly with the individuals to whom the research applies. Practice that has shown to be effective through research allows nurses to better advocate for patients and provide the best possible care. Although the majority of nurses who provide patient care will be consumers of nursing research, implementing evidence-based nursing practice is crucial to provide optimal nursing care. Information from nursing research has the potential to directly impact the care provided to patients in all health care settings.

Now that the students have had the opportunity to become more familiar with nursing research through involvement as team members, they recognize that their future professional possibilities are endless. Nursing research is an emerging and growing field in which individuals can apply their nursing education to discover new advancements that promote evidence-based care. They learned the research process and the important roles that each team member plays during the study phases of conception, design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination. Each aspect of the research process is important and contributes to the overall success of the study.

The students also discovered the benefit of trying new things. Prior to this experience, they had little exposure to the research process and nursing research. Consequently, they had to be receptive to learning and recognize that acquiring new knowledge was a gradual process. At times, the students felt anxious because all aspects were new, but they realized that without trying, they would never advance and feel comfortable with the research process. As the students reflected, they thought this was an excellent growing experience professionally, scholastically, and personally. In addition, this opportunity benefited the students’ peers through discussions and their sharing of work responsibilities, the research process, and the importance of evidence-based practice. As future nurses, the students are strong proponents of nursing research, and this experience has also broadened their horizons regarding future professional growth and opportunities. In addition, they have a better understanding of the importance of scientific evidence to support their clinical practice. As a result, the students thought that a stronger emphasis should be placed on nursing research in undergraduate baccalaureate education and that more students should have the opportunity to participate as team members in nursing research studies.

The students were almost one full year into nursing school and thought they had learned about all of the possibilities for their futures when they were first presented with this learning opportunity. They knew their future options were numerous and included working in acute care and community settings. They also realized they could further their education and pursue graduate degrees to include a master's degree and become an administrator, educator, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner, or potentially pursue a doctorate. They did not know there was an emerging and growing field in which their nursing education could be applied and furthered—the area of research and the role of becoming a nurse researcher. Prior to this experience, students perceived their possibilities for a professional career in nursing were tremendous. Now by being involved in the entire process of conducting a federally funded research study, they realized their future professional possibilities are limitless.

The authors of this paper hope that by sharing their experience, they will encourage both nursing faculty and nursing students to not only introduce the research process into the nursing curriculum, but also to consider making nursing research a tangible and more integrated process. They think that a more beneficial approach to the introduction of research may be achieved through incorporating research-related content into each nursing course throughout the educational process. This could be conducted in addition to the current curriculum plan of many schools of nursing that require a single and concentrated 3-hour research course with a goal of research becoming a positive experience for students that is enthusiastically received as a new learning opportunity. In addition, students who are involved as team members in a funded research study may be provided with scheduled classroom opportunities for making progress reports to their peers. Also, the students could field questions regarding the research project and their experiences. These activities may foster increased learning and interest about research among the students’ classmates.

As nursing students are the future members of the nursing profession, and for the profession to continue to advance, nursing research must be the foundation of comprehensive, evidence-based clinical practice. This may only occur with increased exposure to nursing research. Therefore, it is critical that the future members of the nursing profession be exposed to, develop an appreciation for, and become more involved in nursing research, and thus incorporate its outcomes into the delivery of optimal professional nursing practice.

Acknowledgments

The lead author was awarded a grant (NR008871) from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative [April 14, 2006]; Office of Human Research Protection. The Medical College of Georgia. 2000 from http://www.mcg.edu/Research/ohrp/training/citi.html .
Polit DF, Beck CT. Essentials of nursing research: Methods, appraisal, and utilization. 6th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Philadelphia: 2006. [ Google Scholar ]
Roche Genetics Education Program [May 10, 2006]; Education. 2004 from http://www.roche.com/research_and_development_r_d_overview/education.htm .
Tingen MS, Ludwig DA, Dong Y, Zhu H, Andrews JO, Burnett AH, et al. Tobacco smoke exposure and genetics: Youth at risk for cardiovascular disease.. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.2007. p. 39. [ Google Scholar ]

July 30, 2024 . By Kepher

Nursing Research Essay Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Success

The nursing profession is built upon a foundation of evidence-based practice. This means that nurses rely on scientific research to guide their clinical decision-making and ensure optimal patient care. A crucial part of understanding and contributing to this evidence base is the ability to critically analyze and synthesize research findings. Writing a nursing research essay is a valuable exercise that allows you to delve deeper into a specific topic, develop your critical thinking skills, and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to writing a high-quality nursing research essay. We will explore every stage of the writing process, from choosing a topic and conducting a literature review to crafting a compelling argument and ensuring proper formatting and referencing.

The Importance of Nursing Research Essay Writing

The importance of nursing research essay writing lies in its ability to advance nursing practice, improve patient care, and contribute to the broader field of healthcare. Here are some key reasons why:

Evidence-Based Practice: Nursing research essays are crucial for fostering evidence-based practice in nursing. By reviewing existing research, conducting new studies, and analyzing data, nurses can identify the most effective interventions and develop informed clinical decisions.
Knowledge Advancement: A well-crafted nursing research essay contributes to the ongoing accumulation of knowledge about nursing care. They uncover new insights, challenge existing assumptions, and provide evidence-based support for various nursing interventions and strategies.
Professional Development: Writing a nursing research essay requires critical thinking, research skills, and effective communication. This process helps nurses develop their analytical and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for providing high-quality patient care.
Dissemination of Findings: Your nursing research essay serves as a platform for disseminating new findings and research results to the broader nursing community. This allows for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the application of new discoveries in various clinical settings.

In conclusion, nursing research essay writing is a vital component of nursing practice, research, and education. It fosters evidence-based care, advances knowledge, and promotes professional development, ultimately contributing to a more informed and effective healthcare system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Nursing Research Essay Writing

1. Choosing a Topic for Your Nursing Research Essay

The first step in writing a successful nursing research essay is selecting a relevant and engaging topic. This choice will determine the direction of your entire essay and significantly influence the research process. Here are some tips for choosing a topic for your nursing research essay:

Consider your interests: Begin by identifying areas of nursing practice that genuinely pique your interest. This could be anything from specific patient populations, interventions, technologies, or nursing theories.
Explore current trends: Stay informed about current research trends in nursing. Publications like the Journal of Nursing Scholarship , Nursing Research , and Advances in Nursing Science can offer insights into emerging areas of inquiry.
Seek guidance from your instructor: If you are writing the essay for a course, consult with your instructor for suggestions and feedback on your chosen topic. They can offer valuable guidance on the scope and feasibility of your chosen research question.
Narrow your focus: Once you have a general area of interest, narrow it down to a specific, manageable research question. This will allow you to delve deeper into the topic and conduct a focused literature review.

For example, instead of a broad topic like “Diabetes Management,” you could narrow it down to a specific research question like: “What is the effectiveness of patient education programs on diabetes self-management skills among adults with type 2 diabetes?”

2. Conducting a Thorough Literature Review

A thorough literature review is the cornerstone of any nursing research essay. It lays the foundation for your understanding of the chosen topic, allows you to identify gaps in existing research, and provides evidence to support your argument. Here are some essential steps for conducting a comprehensive literature review:

Identify relevant keywords: Use your research question to identify relevant keywords for your search. For example, if your research question focuses on patient education, include keywords like “patient education,” “diabetes,” and “self-management.”
Utilize electronic databases: Electronic databases like PubMed, CINAHL, Nursing Papers and Scopus offer access to a vast collection of nursing research articles. They allow you to filter searches based on specific keywords, publication dates, and study designs.

Explore grey literature: Don’t overlook grey literature, which includes unpublished reports, government documents, and conference proceedings. These sources can provide valuable insights and perspectives that may not be available in peer-reviewed journals.
Critically evaluate sources: As you gather sources, critically evaluate their credibility, relevance, and rigor. Consider the study design, sample size, research methods, and limitations.
Synthesize your findings: Once you have collected sufficient evidence, organize and synthesize your findings. Identify key themes, emerging trends, and gaps in research. This process will help you develop your own argument and contribute to the ongoing conversation within your chosen field.

3. Crafting a Compelling Argument

A strong nursing research essay goes beyond simply summarizing existing research. It requires you to critically analyze and synthesize the evidence to develop your own argument and contribute to the body of knowledge. Here are some tips for crafting a compelling argument:

Establish a clear thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the central claim of your essay. It should be concise, specific, and clearly state your position on the topic.
Develop a logical framework: Organize your essay using a logical framework that supports your thesis statement. This could involve organizing your argument chronologically, by theme, or by comparing and contrasting different perspectives.
Provide evidence to support your claims: Each point you make in your essay should be supported by evidence from your literature review. This can include statistics, research findings, expert opinions, and relevant examples.
Acknowledge opposing viewpoints: A strong argument acknowledges and addresses potential counter-arguments. This demonstrates your understanding of the complexity of the topic and strengthens your credibility as a researcher.
Use persuasive language: Use clear, concise language that is engaging and persuasive. Avoid jargon or overly technical terminology that may confuse your reader.

4. Organizing Your Nursing Research Essay

A well-organized nursing research essay is essential for conveying your argument effectively and ensuring clarity for your reader. Here is a typical structure for a nursing research essay:

Introduction:

Briefly introduce the topic and its relevance to nursing practice.
State your research question and thesis statement.
Provide a brief overview of the key themes and issues that will be explored in the essay.

Literature Review:

Summarize and synthesize the existing research on your chosen topic.
Organize the literature review according to themes, trends, or research questions.
Critically evaluate each source and highlight its strengths and limitations.
Identify gaps in the current literature and highlight areas for future research.

Discussion:

Analyze and interpret the evidence presented in the literature review.
Develop your own argument and support it with evidence.
Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and address them effectively.
Discuss the implications of your findings for nursing practice and future research.

Conclusion:

Summarize the main points of your argument and restate your thesis statement.
Briefly discuss the limitations of your study and identify areas for further research.
Conclude with a strong statement that emphasizes the significance of your findings for nursing practice.

5. Formatting and Referencing Your Nursing Research Essay

Maintaining proper formatting and referencing is crucial for ensuring the credibility and clarity of your nursing research essay. Here are some essential guidelines:

Follow specific formatting guidelines: Your instructor or the journal you are submitting to will likely have specific formatting guidelines. These may include font type and size, margins, line spacing, and page numbering.
Use a consistent referencing style: Different disciplines use different referencing styles. The most common style used in nursing is APA style. Consult a style guide to ensure consistency in formatting citations and the reference list.
Cite all sources accurately: Whenever you use information or ideas from other sources, cite them accurately in-text and in the reference list. This demonstrates academic integrity and avoids plagiarism.
Proofread and edit carefully: Before submitting your essay, carefully proofread and edit for any errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Consider having a peer review your essay for an additional level of scrutiny.

Examples of Compelling Nursing Research Essay Topics

Here are engaging topic examples for nursing research essays that explore diverse areas within the field:

Patient Care & Outcomes:

The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Chronic Pain Management in Older Adults: This nursing research essay could examine the effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing pain and improving quality of life for older adults living with chronic pain.
The Role of Early Mobility in Preventing Post-Surgical Complications: This nursing research essay could explore the benefits of early mobilization after surgery and its impact on patient recovery and outcomes.
Improving Medication Adherence in Patients with Heart Failure: This nursing research essay could investigate strategies to enhance medication adherence among patients with heart failure, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
The Effectiveness of Family-Centered Care in Pediatric Oncology: This nursing research essay could evaluate the impact of family-centered care models on the well-being of children with cancer and their families.

Nursing Education & Practice:

The Use of Simulation in Nursing Education: A Critical Analysis: This nursing research essay could explore the effectiveness of simulation-based training in preparing nursing students for clinical practice.
Burnout Among Nurses: Factors, Interventions, and Strategies for Prevention: This nursing research essay could delve into the causes of burnout among nurses, explore potential interventions, and discuss strategies for promoting well-being in the nursing profession.
The Integration of Technology in Nursing Practice: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Directions: This nursing research essay could examine the impact of technology on nursing practice, exploring both its benefits and challenges.

Health Policy & Advocacy:

The Impact of Healthcare Reform on Access to Care for Underserved Populations: This nursing research essay could analyze the effects of healthcare reform on specific underserved populations, focusing on access to quality care.
The Role of Nurses in Public Health Advocacy: This nursing research essay could explore how nurses can effectively advocate for public health policies and initiatives that promote health and well-being.

Ethical Considerations:

Ethical Considerations in End-of-Life Care: A Nursing Perspective: This nursing research essay could delve into ethical dilemmas faced by nurses during end-of-life care, examining decision-making processes and patient autonomy.
The Use of Restraints in Long-Term Care Facilities: Ethical and Legal Considerations: This nursing research essay could explore the ethical and legal implications of restraint use in long-term care settings and examine alternatives to physical restraints.

Emerging Trends & Innovations:

The Potential of Telehealth in Rural Nursing Practice: This nursing research essay could explore the benefits and challenges of using telehealth to provide healthcare services in rural communities.
The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Care: This nursing research essay could delve into the potential of AI technology to assist nurses in tasks like patient monitoring, data analysis, and decision-making.
The Future of Nursing Education: Embracing Interprofessional Collaboration and Digital Learning: This nursing research essay could examine future trends in nursing education, emphasizing the importance of interprofessional collaboration and digital learning platforms.

Specific Patient Populations:

Improving Quality of Life for Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: This nursing research essay could explore strategies to enhance the quality of life for patients with COPD, focusing on symptom management, self-management education, and psychosocial support.
The Role of Nurses in Providing Mental Health Care to Veterans: This nursing research essay could investigate the specific challenges faced by veterans seeking mental healthcare and explore the role of nurses in providing culturally competent and effective care.
Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families: A Nursing Perspective: This nursing research essay could explore the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families, examining the role of nurses in providing tailored care and support.

Global Nursing Issues:

The Impact of Global Health Initiatives on Nursing Practice: This nursing research essay could examine the influence of global health initiatives on nursing practices, exploring the challenges and opportunities for nurses working in various healthcare settings around the world.
The Role of Nurses in Disaster Relief and Emergency Response: This nursing research essay could analyze the contributions of nurses in disaster relief efforts, highlighting their crucial role in providing immediate medical care and support to affected populations.

Emerging Nursing Roles:

The Evolving Role of the Nurse Navigator: Facilitating Patient Care and Improving Outcomes: This nursing research essay could explore the expanding role of nurse navigators in guiding patients through complex healthcare systems, ensuring timely access to care and improving overall patient outcomes.

These topics offer a wide range of possibilities for nursing research essays that can contribute to a better understanding of nursing practice, patient care, and the broader healthcare landscape.

Key Types of Nursing Research Essays

Nursing research essays are crucial for advancing the field of nursing practice and promoting evidence-based care. Here are some key types:

Literature Review: This type of nursing research essay critically analyzes existing research on a specific nursing topic. It examines various studies, identifies gaps in knowledge, and proposes future research directions.
Quantitative Research Essay: This nursing research essay uses numerical data to investigate relationships between variables. It often involves statistical analysis and aims to test specific hypotheses.
Qualitative Research Essay: This type of nursing research essay explores the experiences, perspectives, and meanings of individuals within a specific context. It utilizes methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations to gather rich, descriptive data.
Mixed Methods Research Essay: This nursing research essay combines both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. It aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon by integrating different types of data.
Case Study: This nursing research essay focuses on a specific case or situation to provide in-depth analysis and insights. It can examine an individual patient, a particular clinical setting, or a specific intervention.

By exploring these different types of nursing research essays, students and practitioners can contribute to the ongoing development of evidence-based practice in nursing. Each type of nursing research essay plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of nursing care and improving patient outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Nursing Research Essay

Writing a nursing research essay requires careful attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you produce a strong and impactful essay:

1. Lack of Clear Research Question:

A well-defined research question is the cornerstone of a successful nursing research essay. Without a clear and focused question, your essay will lack direction and purpose. Make sure your research question is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

2. Insufficient Literature Review:

A comprehensive literature review is essential for any nursing research essay. This section should provide a thorough overview of existing research on your topic, highlighting key findings, gaps in knowledge, and the rationale for your study. Failing to conduct a thorough review can weaken your argument and diminish the originality of your research.

3. Weak Methodology:

The methodology section of your nursing research essay describes how you conducted your research. This section should be detailed, clear, and justifiable. Common mistakes include a lack of detail about the study design, sample selection, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.

4. Inadequate Data Analysis and Interpretation:

After collecting data, you must analyze and interpret it in a meaningful way. A common mistake is failing to present a comprehensive analysis that supports your conclusions. Make sure your analysis is relevant to your research question and supported by evidence.

5. Weak Conclusion and Recommendations:

The conclusion of your nursing research essay summarizes your findings and discusses their implications. It should clearly reiterate your research question, highlight key findings, and provide recommendations for future research or practice. A weak conclusion lacks clarity, fails to connect findings to the broader context, or offers vague recommendations.

6. Poor Writing Style and Formatting:

A well-written nursing research essay uses clear, concise, and objective language. It follows a consistent format, includes proper citations, and adheres to academic writing conventions. Common mistakes include poor grammar, inconsistent formatting, lack of citations, and inappropriate tone.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write a strong and impactful nursing research essay that effectively communicates your research findings and contributes to the field of nursing knowledge.

Writing a nursing research essay is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By following these comprehensive guidelines, you can effectively research, analyze, and synthesize relevant literature to develop a compelling argument that contributes to the advancement of nursing knowledge. Remember, the key to a successful nursing research essay lies in your ability to think critically, conduct thorough research, and present your findings in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

Through this process, you will gain valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, ultimately becoming a more informed and effective nurse who can contribute to the evidence-based practice of nursing.

Get Customized Nursing Research Essay Writing Help

Are you struggling with writing a nursing research essay? Then, engage PhD Nurse Writer for customized help. We can assist you with crafting authentic and engaging nursing research papers , essays, case studies and dissertations . Our service covers topic suggestion, paper writing, proofreading and plagiarism removal.

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Importance of Research in Nursing Practice and Theories

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Why Is Research Important in Nursing?

Research is essential for the advancement of any profession. Healthcare is no different, and research in nursing could revolutionize it. The use of evidence-based practice by nurses ensures better standards of care.

Nursing is a career that requires strong research skills. Why? Patients and caregivers rely on nurses for information so they can make informed decisions about their health care.

Research helps to shape the nursing profession as it evolves with the needs of society and advances in medical science, assisting nurses in providing effective, evidence-based care.

Research is also essential because it is a crucial predictor of nurse retention rates, which is necessary for ensuring access to high-quality nursing care over time.

Five Types of Qualitative Research:

Why does research matter in nursing programs.

The research process is an integral component of the nursing profession. Nurses work together with other healthcare professionals to provide quality care for patients and their families.

Research can be defined as “the systematic investigation into a particular subject or field of knowledge, typically using methods that are empirical or scientific.”

It isn’t easy to think of a time when nurses didn’t use research in their practice. Before hospitals became more specialized, many nurses would have been responsible for carrying out clinical laboratory tests on patient samples themselves.

Today, nurses still rely heavily on the findings from research studies to improve patient outcomes and reduce risk factors associated with illness.

They review these studies at conferences and in journals they subscribe to through professional organizations such as The Organization of Nurse Executives (ONE) and The American Association of Colleges for Nursing.

Nurses still rely heavily on the findings from research studies to improve patient outcomes and reduce risk factors associated with illness.

Nurses are also responsible for informing patients about new developments in their field by keeping up with current trends over time to make informed decisions when treating themselves or asking others for care advice.

Communicating this information is essential because it creates a better understanding between healthcare providers and those who use their services.

Information Literacy and Nursing

Literacy is not the same as information literacy. Literacy is an essential skill, and information literacy can access, evaluate and use this knowledge for personal decision making or in collaboration with others to solve problems.

Information literacy is a life-long learning process and will be required to work with new technologies in the future.

Information literacy should not just be taught for its own sake, but because of what it offers learners when they can search effectively for information from multiple sources on their topic, evaluate this literature according to accepted standards, synthesize findings into coherent arguments or summaries that advance understanding about an issue, develop logical explanations or solutions based on evidence found through online searches and library databases as well as other resources.

Evidence-Based Practice

Consider these four factors when evaluating published research:

Validity: Is the study valid, reliable, and accurate? A study’s validity is an essential factor to consider. A significant percentage of published studies are not good, and some even have sufficient evidence that they’re false.

For example, in 1974, psychologists asked participants about their sexual orientation; this was when homosexuality was still illegal in many states. The researchers found that self-reported gay men were much more likely than heterosexual males to report having sex with over 100 women, a number far higher than any other group surveyed written for themselves or others (Bancroft).

Reliability: Is the result of the measurement consistent? Nursing is an occupation that requires ongoing education. Research informs the decisions made in nursing, and therefore it’s important to have access to research findings. The process of gathering information from various sources provides more diverse knowledge than found if only one source were used exclusively.

Relevance: Are there logical connections between two events, concepts, or tasks? To find this out, you might look up the topic in a research database.

It also helps define which new areas of study deserve attention. Researchers often use data from extensive studies that gather information on many people over long periods ( called cohort studies ) or smaller group-based tests designed to assess a person’s response to something like a drug ( called case-control studies ).

Outcome: What were the researchers’ conclusions? The result of every research is not exact because the researchers have different goals for the study.

The research outcomes are also affected by how well a researcher understands and applies design principles to test their hypotheses, define problems in advance, and collect data efficiently with appropriate methods that control for unwanted variability from external sources like confounding variables.

There are many advantages when doing this, such as avoiding duplicate work, which would increase costs without providing any additional benefits (eHealth Literacy).

Types of Research

The research used in evidence-based practice and practice guidelines is research that has been conducted and analyzed by experts in the field of nursing. Nurses work in clinical research as well as participate in collaborative interdisciplinary studies with other healthcare professionals.

Types of Research are following:

Quantitative research: Data is interpreted with the help of numbers, percentages, and variables.

Qualitative research: The results are based on thoughts, perceptions, and experiences.

Three Types of Quantitative Research:

The descriptive type of research describes an individual, situation, or group of individuals or their characteristics. Based on observed traits, this kind of research searches for conclusions and connections that can be made.
The purpose of quasi-experimental research is to determine the cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
Correlational research examines the relationships between variables but does not reveal a cause-and-effect relationship.
In ethnography, customs and practices are observed or analyzed to learn how particular cultures understand disease and health.
In grounded theory, theories are built in response to questions, problems, and observations.
Interpretations, reactions, and paradigms of interaction, communication, and symbolism are studied in symbolic interactionism. Over time, these factors can affect how people change their health practices.
Historical research examines topics, cultures, or groups in the past systematically.
Phenomenology is based on the author’s personal experiences and insights.

Role of Nursing Research in Online Programs

Nurses interested in online health care degrees may find the research aspect is what interests them.

Research has been a significant player in nursing practices for many years now. It continues to be important as discoveries are made about human beings on every level of analysis.

Research also plays an essential role when developing programs that will help people heal more quickly or prevent injury before it happens.

There is no shortage of information available for nurses who want to learn more about their career path into either education or administration through online classes at most universities with nursing programs today.

Conclusion:

For nurses to improve their practice, stay current, and offer better care to patients, they need to conduct research. Nurses who possess information literacy skills can use the information to develop their conclusions more effectively. Nurses need to practice evidence-based practice.

Nurses should be able to understand, evaluate and use research in their careers. These skills are taught in nursing schools to help nurses advance in their careers.