types of research topics in nursing

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

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

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

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

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

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

Example Research Project Scenario:

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

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

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

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

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

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

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

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

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

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

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

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

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

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

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

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

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

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

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

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

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nursing Topics for Research plus Ideas

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steps for Selecting a Good Nursing Research Topic

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

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

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

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

These tips also apply to nursing research project topics.

List of Nursing Research Topics Organized by Nursing Category

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

Adult Nursing Research Topics

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

Child Nursing Research Topics

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

Communications Nursing Research Topics

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

Controversial Nursing Research Topics

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

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

Related Article: Interesting nursing debate topics for students .

Disease Management Nursing Topics

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

Related: How to write a windshield survey report paper.

Emergency Room Nursing Topics

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

Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Research Topics

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

Related Articles:

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

Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

Healthcare Promotion Nursing Topics

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

Hot Nursing Research Topics

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

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

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

Nurse Practitioner Research Topics

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

Nursing Student Research Topics

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

Pain Management Nursing Topics

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

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

Perioperative Nursing Research Topics

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

Primary Healthcare Nursing Topics

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

Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics

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

Related Article: Mental health nursing topics .

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

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

Trauma Nursing Research Topics

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

Leadership Nursing Research Topics

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

Women's Health Nursing Topics

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

Now you have the Topic, What Next?

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

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List of 350 Brilliant Nursing Research Topics to Investigate in 2024

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

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

Process of Nursing Research

350 interesting nursing research topics.

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

Primary Care Research Topics

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

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

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

Research Topics in Public Health

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

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

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

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Midwifery Research Topics

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

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

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

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

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

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

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

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Healthcare Management Research Topics

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

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

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

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

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

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

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

Nursing Leadership Paper Topics

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

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

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

Easy Topics for Nursing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

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

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nursing Research

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

How to choose a Nursing Research Topic?

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

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

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

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

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

❓ What Is Translational Research in Nursing?

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

❓ What Is an Example of a Clinical Question?

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

❓ How to Determine Level of Evidence in Nursing Research?

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

❓ What Are Some Controversial Issues in Nursing?

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

📎 References:

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

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

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

NB – This is just the start…

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

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

Overview: Nursing Research Topics

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

General Nursing Research Topics & Ideas

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

Topics & Ideas: Medical-Surgical Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Pediatrics Nursing

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

Ideas: Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: ICU Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Mental Health Nursing

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

Nursing Dissertation & Theses

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

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

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

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

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Top Nursing Research Topics for Students and Professionals

This article was written in collaboration with Christine T. and ChatGPT, our little helper developed by OpenAI.

Nursing research is an essential component of the nursing profession. Its primary purpose is to enhance patient outcomes, elevate the quality of care, and advance nursing as a whole. For nursing students and practitioners, selecting an appropriate research topic is crucial for academic and professional success. This article highlights some current and interesting topics in nursing research that students and professionals can explore.

Nursing Workforce

One of the major topics in nursing research is the challenges that nurses face in their workplace, and how to address them. This is particularly relevant in light of the current shortage of nurses and the healthcare industry’s growing demands.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Nursing Workforce

• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes in acute care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse retention strategies on improving nurse job satisfaction
• The role of nursing leadership in creating a positive work environment
• The relationship between nurse staffing ratios and nurse burnout
• The impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on nursing care quality in long-term care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse residency programs in improving new nurse retention rates
• The impact of nursing unit culture on nurse job satisfaction and retention
• The impact of nurse-patient ratios on patient outcomes
• Strategies for retaining experienced nurses in the workforce
• Analyzing the role of advanced practice nurses in healthcare teams
• The challenges and benefits of international nursing recruitment
• Addressing generational differences in the nursing workforce
• The relationship between nurse work schedules and nurse burnout
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on medication errors in hospital settings
• The role of interprofessional collaboration in reducing nursing workload and improving patient outcomes
• The impact of nursing education level on nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient falls in acute care settings
• The impact of nurse workload on patient satisfaction with nursing care
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting staff well-being and reducing burnout
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality rates in critical care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse-led care models in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient readmission rates in acute care settings
• The role of nursing autonomy in improving nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse job satisfaction and patient outcomes in long-term care settings
• The impact of nursing staff turnover on patient safety and quality of care
• Healthcare management: career paths and requirements
• The role of technology in improving nursing efficiency and reducing workload
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient satisfaction with nursing care
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse job stress and burnout in pediatric settings
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving patient outcomes for chronic conditions
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting a culture of safety and reducing patient harm
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in psychiatric settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse job satisfaction and burnout in emergency departments
• The effectiveness of nursing education programs in improving nurse practice and patient outcomes
• The role of nurse practitioners in improving access to healthcare in underserved communities
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse retention rates in rural healthcare facilities
• The effectiveness of nurse-led discharge planning in reducing hospital readmissions
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting interprofessional collaboration and teamwork
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in outpatient care settings
• The impact of nursing workloads on patient safety in intensive care units
• The role of nursing research in improving nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and nurse job satisfaction in surgical settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient satisfaction with pain management in acute care settings
• The effectiveness of nursing education programs in improving nursing knowledge and skills
• The role of nursing advocacy in promoting patient-centered care and improving healthcare outcomes

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Patient Safety

Another crucial area of nursing research is patient safety. Studying ways to enhance patient safety, reduce adverse events, and improve the quality of care in hospitals and other healthcare settings can help prevent patient harm and improve patient outcomes.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Patient Safety

• Exploring the impact of workplace stress on nurses’ job satisfaction and performance
• Investigating the factors that influence nurse turnover and retention rates
• Assessing the role of nurse staffing levels in patient outcomes and quality of care
• Examining the relationship between nurse burnout and patient safety incidents
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing leadership in creating a positive work environment
• The influence of nursing handovers on patient safety
• Strategies to reduce medication errors in hospital settings
• The role of electronic health records in enhancing patient safety
• Impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient safety outcomes
• Evaluating the effectiveness of patient safety training programs for nurses
• Exploring the experiences of nurses from diverse backgrounds in the workplace
• Assessing the impact of shift work on nurses’ physical and mental health
• Investigating the relationship between nurse-patient ratios and patient outcomes
• Examining the role of interprofessional collaboration in improving the nursing work environment
• Exploring the use of technology to improve nursing workflow and productivity
• Mitigating the economic and social costs of heart diseases among the aging population in the US
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing mentorship programs in retaining new nurses
• Assessing the role of organizational culture in promoting nurse well-being and job satisfaction
• Examining the impact of nursing education on nursing workforce preparedness
• Exploring the factors that contribute to job satisfaction among nurses
• Combating health care-associated infections: a community-based approach
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led care on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Assessing the effectiveness of nursing support programs for nurses with mental health issues
• Examining the role of nursing unions in advocating for the nursing workforce
• Exploring the experiences of male nurses in the nursing workforce
• Investigating the effectiveness of nurse-led clinics in reducing emergency department visits
• Assessing the impact of nursing teamwork on patient outcomes and quality of care
• Examining the role of nursing informatics in improving nursing workflow and patient care
• Exploring the impact of nursing shortages on patient outcomes and quality of care
• Investigating the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for reducing hospital readmissions
• Assessing the impact of nursing certification on nursing workforce competence and confidence
• Examining the role of nursing education in promoting cultural competence in the nursing workforce
• Exploring the experiences of nurses working in rural healthcare settings
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing delegation in improving patient outcomes and quality of care
• Assessing the impact of nursing shortages on nurse job satisfaction and burnout
• Examining the role of nursing research in informing nursing workforce policies and practices
• Exploring the impact of nurse-led quality improvement initiatives on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Investigating the role of nursing leaders in promoting nursing workforce diversity and inclusion
• Assessing the impact of nursing autonomy on nurse job satisfaction and performance
• Examining the effectiveness of nursing residency programs in preparing new nurses for the workforce
• Exploring the experiences of nurses working in correctional healthcare settings
• Investigating the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient falls and injuries
• Assessing the role of nursing education in promoting evidence-based practice in the nursing workforce
• Examining the effectiveness of nursing preceptorship programs in improving nurse job satisfaction and retention
• Exploring the role of nursing education in preparing nurses for leadership roles in the nursing workforce
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing empowerment interventions in improving nursing job satisfaction and performance
• Assessing the impact of nursing shortages on the quality of nursing care provided to older adults in long-term care facilities.

Chronic Illness Management

Managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, is a significant challenge for healthcare providers. Exploring different strategies for chronic disease management can help improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Chronic Illness Management

• The Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Heart Disease
• Impact of Nurse-led Interventions in Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• The Effectiveness of Self-management Education in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
• Nursing Strategies for Chronic Pain Management
• Chronic Kidney Disease Management: A Nursing Perspective
• Palliative Care in Chronic Illness Management
• Community Nursing and Chronic Illness: A Study on Patient Outcomes
• The Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Pediatric Asthma
• Telehealth and Chronic Disease Management: The Future of Nursing Practice?
• Evaluating the role of nursing in diabetes self-management
• Strategies for improving patient adherence to chronic illness treatment plans
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management
• Exploring the role of telehealth in chronic illness follow-up and monitoring
• The effectiveness of nurse-led educational programs for patients with cardiovascular diseases
• The Importance of Nurse-led Clinics in Chronic Illness Management
• The Role of Nursing in Depression Management among Chronically Ill Patients
• Empowering the vulnerable: enhancing health and social care for individuals with specific needs
• Advanced Practice Nurses and Chronic Illness Management: A Systematic Review
• The Impact of Holistic Nursing Care on Chronic Disease Management
• The Effect of Nurse-led Health Education on Compliance in Chronic Disease Patients
• The Role of Family Nurses in the Management of Chronic Illness in Home Settings
• Nursing and the Management of Chronic Illness in Geriatric Populations
• The Influence of Nursing Interventions on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Illness
• Challenges Faced by Nurses in Managing Chronic Illness in Low-resource Settings
• Cancer Pain: Assessment, Management, and Patient Empowerment
• Evaluating the Role of School Nurses in Managing Chronic Illnesses in Children
• Developing a Chronic Disease Management Model: The Crucial Role of Nursing
• Nursing Intervention in Lifestyle Modification for Chronic Illness Patients
• The Impact of Patient-Nurse Communication in Chronic Illness Management
• The Role of Nursing in Medication Management for Chronic Illness Patients
• The Effects of Nursing Care Coordination on Chronic Illness Outcomes
• Mental Health and Chronic Illness: The Importance of Psychiatric Nursing
• The Role of Nursing in the Self-Management of Chronic Illness: A Meta-Analysis
• Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Management in Rural Areas
• Nurses’ Role in Reducing Hospital Readmissions for Chronic Illness Patients
• Digital healthcare and organizational learning: enhancing patient care through technology and knowledge management
• The Impact of Nursing on Patient Empowerment in Chronic Illness Management
• Cultural Competence in Nursing and Its Effect on Chronic Disease Management
• The Role of Nursing Informatics in Chronic Illness Management
• Evaluating the Role of Community Health Nurses in Chronic Illness Prevention
• The Impact of Home Nursing on Chronic Illness Management in Aging Populations
• The ongoing risk of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men
• The Role of Oncology Nurses in the Management of Chronic Cancer Pain
• The Effects of Nursing-led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Chronic Illness Management
• The Impact of Advanced Nursing Practice on Health Outcomes in Chronic Disease Management
• The Use of Digital Health Technologies in Chronic Disease Management: A Nursing Perspective

Mental Health

Promoting mental health and well-being in vulnerable patient populations is another important area of nursing research. Nurses can investigate various interventions and programs that can help prevent mental health problems and improve patients’ overall well-being.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Mental Health

• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health in healthcare workers
• The effectiveness of telehealth for delivering mental health services
• The role of social support in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for mental health
• Examining the use of virtual reality in treating mental health disorders
• The impact of sleep on mental health outcomes
• The role of exercise in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression
• Exploring the relationship between mental health and chronic pain
• Investigating the impact of workplace stress on mental health in nurses
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for patients with depression
• Exploring the impact of nurse-patient relationships on mental health outcomes
• Strategies for improving mental health literacy among nursing professionals
• Evaluating the role of nurses in suicide prevention and intervention
• The challenges and strategies in nursing care for patients with dual diagnoses (co-existing mental health and substance use disorders)
• Examining the use of music therapy for mental health promotion
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders
• The relationship between mental health and nutrition
• The impact of trauma on mental health outcomes
• Investigating the use of art therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The role of spirituality in mental health and coping
• The effectiveness of group therapy for mental health disorders
• The impact of stigma on mental health outcomes
• Examining the effectiveness of psychopharmacology in treating mental health disorders
• The role of family support in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Investigating the relationship between mental health and substance abuse
• The effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The impact of social media on mental health outcomes
• Examining the use of humor in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of cognitive training for improving mental health outcomes
• Investigating the impact of gender and cultural factors on mental health outcomes
• The role of occupational therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Examining the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for mental health disorders
• The relationship between mental health and physical activity
• Investigating the use of peer support for mental health promotion
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction for mental health
• The impact of technology on mental health outcomes
• The role of nutrition in treating mental health disorders
• Examining the use of hypnotherapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy for PTSD
• Investigating the relationship between mental health and social determinants of health
• The impact of social isolation on mental health outcomes
• Examining the use of dance therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy for mental health disorders
• The role of self-care in promoting mental health and wellbeing in nurses

Health Promotion

Research into health promotion strategies using technology, social media, and other digital tools is a rapidly growing area of nursing research. Such research can help identify innovative and effective ways to promote health and well-being in communities and patient populations.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Health Promotion

• The effectiveness of community-based interventions in promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits
• Investigating the impact of social media on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Identifying effective strategies for improving health literacy among underserved populations
• Exploring the use of wearable technology in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles
• Evaluating the effectiveness of nurse-led health promotion campaigns on community health outcomes
• The role of nurses in promoting vaccinations in various populations
• Strategies for nurses to address health literacy and its impact on patient outcomes
• The influence of cultural competence in health promotion and disease prevention
• Assessing the role of nurses in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles in at-risk populations
• Investigating the role of family support in promoting healthy behaviors among children and adolescents
• Examining the effectiveness of peer-led interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• Investigating the impact of workplace wellness programs on employee health and productivity
• The impact of milk consumption on children’s growth
• The role of nursing in promoting smoking cessation and reducing tobacco use
• Exploring the use of motivational interviewing in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in promoting mental and physical health
• The role of social support in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting healthy behaviors among children and adolescents
• Exploring the use of technology in promoting health education and behavior change
• Investigating the role of culture and ethnicity in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Nursing: a beautiful blend of art and science
• Examining the effectiveness of community health worker programs in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases
• Investigating the impact of environmental factors on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of incentives in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the effectiveness of group-based interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• Examining the impact of policy interventions on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• The effects of sleep deprivation on students’ cognitive functions and emotional state
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy sleep habits and reducing sleep disorders
• Investigating the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Exploring the use of positive psychology interventions in promoting mental and physical health
• Investigating the role of healthcare providers in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of workplace policies in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy sexual behaviors and preventing sexually transmitted infections
• Investigating the impact of stress on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of community-based participatory research in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• The delicate dance: balancing art and science in the nursing profession
• Investigating the role of nutrition in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of self-management interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy pregnancy and preventing maternal and child health problems
• Investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of health coaching in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the role of spirituality in promoting mental and physical health
• Examining the effectiveness of school-based policies in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy relationships and preventing intimate partner violence
• Investigating the impact of social determinants of health on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of mobile applications in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Investigating the role of health literacy in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases

Palliative Care

Improving the quality of life of seriously ill patients and their families during end-of-life care is another critical area of nursing research. Nurses can explore different interventions and support programs that can enhance the palliative care experience.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Palliative Care

• The effectiveness of palliative care on improving quality of life for cancer patients
• Understanding the needs and experiences of family caregivers in palliative care
• Palliative care and end-of-life decision-making: exploring patient and family preferences
• Optimizing the clarifying diagnosis of stomach cancer
• Improving access to palliative care for patients in rural areas
• The role of spirituality in palliative care for terminally ill patients
• Investigating the impact of music therapy on patients receiving palliative care
• Developing effective communication strategies for discussing end-of-life care with patients and families
• Exploring the experiences and needs of patients with non-cancer diagnoses in palliative care
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in improving the quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Evaluating the training needs of nurses in delivering end-of-life care
• The role of nursing in managing symptoms and side effects in palliative care patients
• Strategies for improving communication between nurses and families during end-of-life care
• Assessing the ethical considerations and challenges faced by nurses in palliative care settings
• Evaluating the effectiveness of home-based palliative care programs
• Palliative care for pediatric patients: understanding unique challenges and opportunities
• The impact of cultural and ethnic differences on palliative care provision
• Investigating the role of social support in palliative care for older adults
• The effectiveness of advance care planning in improving end-of-life care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with neurological diseases in palliative care
• Exploring the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare costs
• Investigating the role of complementary therapies in palliative care
• Improving symptom management in palliative care through medication optimization
• Palliative care and spiritual care: exploring the intersection of these two domains
• The impact of palliative care on reducing hospital readmissions
• Investigating the role of occupational therapy in palliative care
• Developing effective pain management strategies for patients receiving palliative care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with heart failure in palliative care
• The role of pet therapy in improving quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing caregiver burden
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with lung disease in palliative care
• Exploring the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare utilization
• Investigating the role of nutrition in palliative care for patients with cancer
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with kidney disease in palliative care
• Improving palliative care for patients with dementia: exploring unique challenges and opportunities
• The role of art therapy in improving quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing emergency department visits
• Developing effective communication strategies for discussing end-of-life care with patients with cognitive impairment
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with liver disease in palliative care
• Palliative care for patients with substance use disorders: unique challenges and opportunities
• Investigating the role of physiotherapy in palliative care
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving mental health outcomes for patients in palliative care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions in palliative care
• Improving symptom management in palliative care through non-pharmacological interventions
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare disparities
• Palliative care and medical aid in dying: exploring ethical and legal considerations

Healthcare Disparities

Studying the factors that contribute to healthcare disparities between different populations and identifying strategies to address these disparities is an important area of nursing research. Nurses can examine the role of social determinants of health in healthcare disparities and propose solutions to improve access and equity in healthcare.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Healthcare Disparities

• Examining the relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare disparities
• Investigating the impact of implicit bias on healthcare disparities
• Analyzing the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on health outcomes
• Identifying disparities in access to preventative care among different populations
• Exploring the impact of language barriers on healthcare disparities
• Investigating the impact of discrimination on healthcare outcomes
• Identifying disparities in health insurance coverage and access to healthcare services
• Exploring the importance of national health insurance for socioeconomic growth
• Analyzing the impact of geographic location on healthcare disparities
• Evaluating the role of nursing in addressing healthcare disparities in underserved communities
• The impact of socioeconomic factors on patient outcomes and nursing interventions
• Strategies for nurses to promote health equity in diverse patient populations
• Assessing the influence of cultural competence on reducing healthcare disparities
• The role of nursing advocacy in shaping policies to reduce health inequities
• Examining disparities in mental health care access and utilization
• Investigating disparities in maternal and child health outcomes
• Exploring the relationship between healthcare disparities and chronic disease outcomes
• Identifying disparities in end-of-life care and hospice utilization
• Analyzing the impact of cultural differences on healthcare outcomes
• Investigating disparities in healthcare provider communication and patient engagement
• Examining the impact of healthcare policy on healthcare disparities
• Global health learning in nursing and health care disparities
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among the LGBTQ+ community
• Exploring the impact of environmental factors on healthcare disparities
• Analyzing the impact of social determinants of health on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among rural populations
• Examining disparities in healthcare access and utilization among urban populations
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among immigrants and refugees
• Analyzing the impact of education level on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among older adults
• Examining disparities in dental health access and utilization
• Identifying disparities in mental health treatment and access to services
• Analyzing the impact of stigma on healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among incarcerated populations
• Exploring disparities in healthcare access and utilization among individuals with disabilities
• Analyzing the impact of institutional racism on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among low-income populations
• Examining disparities in cancer screening and early detection
• Identifying disparities in access to clinical trials and experimental treatments
• Analyzing the impact of the digital divide on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among veterans
• Exploring the impact of healthcare worker bias on healthcare disparities
• Examining the relationship between healthcare disparities and infant mortality rates
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among people with limited English proficiency
• Analyzing the impact of gender on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among individuals experiencing homelessness
• Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare disparities among different populations

Patient-Centered Care

Enhancing patient-centered care, including patient feedback, patient-centered communication, and patient education, is another vital area of nursing research. Nurses can investigate the impact of patient-centered care on patient outcomes and identify ways to incorporate patient preferences and values in the care process.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Patient-Centered Care

• The importance of patient-centered care in improving health outcomes
• Exploring the effectiveness of patient-centered communication in clinical practice
• Assessing patient satisfaction with patient-centered care
• The impact of nursing staffing on patient-centered care
• The role of family and caregiver involvement in patient-centered care
• The use of technology to enhance patient-centered care
• Patient education and empowerment in promoting patient-centered care
• The role of nurses in facilitating shared decision-making in patient care
• Evaluating the impact of personalized care plans on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Strategies for nurses to engage patients in their care across diverse cultural backgrounds
• The influence of effective communication strategies on the delivery of patient-centered care
• Assessing the barriers and facilitators to implementing patient-centered care in various healthcare settings
• The impact of culture on patient-centered care
• Measuring the quality of patient-centered care in healthcare settings
• The benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in patient-centered care
• Understanding home dialysis: benefits, barriers, and impacts on elderly patients and the healthcare system
• Addressing language barriers in patient-centered care
• Exploring the challenges of implementing patient-centered care in healthcare organizations
• The role of patient-centered care in reducing healthcare costs
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient safety
• The importance of patient-centered care for vulnerable populations
• The role of leadership in promoting patient-centered care
• Evaluating the impact of patient-centered care on healthcare outcomes
• Examining the effectiveness of patient-centered care in chronic disease management
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient adherence to treatment
• The importance of patient-centered care in pediatric healthcare settings
• The use of patient feedback to improve patient-centered care
• Pediatric oncology: working towards better treatment through evidence-based research
• The role of patient-centered care in addressing health disparities
• Patient-centered care in end-of-life and palliative care settings
• The role of healthcare professionals in promoting patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare provider job satisfaction
• The importance of patient-centered care in emergency and critical care settings
• The use of simulation-based training to enhance patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient experience and engagement
• The role of healthcare policy in promoting patient-centered care
• Addressing the needs of patients with complex medical needs in patient-centered care
• The role of the nursing profession in promoting patient-centered care
• Patient-centered care in mental health and psychiatric settings
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare provider burnout
• The role of patient-centered care in promoting shared decision-making
• Examining the effectiveness of patient-centered care in rural healthcare settings
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient quality of life
• The use of patient-centered care in managing acute and chronic pain
• Addressing the needs of elderly patients in patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare system performance
• Promoting patient-centered care through the use of standardized patient education materials

Nursing Education

Exploring innovative approaches to nursing education and training, such as simulation-based learning and online learning, is a growing area of nursing research. Such research can help identify effective ways to prepare nursing students for their future roles in the healthcare system.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Nursing Education

• The impact of simulation-based training on nursing education outcomes
• The effectiveness of online learning in nursing education
• Innovative approaches to clinical teaching in nursing education
• The role of technology in nursing education
• Student perceptions of nursing education and their impact on learning outcomes
• The impact of cultural competence training on nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors
• The effectiveness of peer-led teaching in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating interprofessional education into nursing curricula
• The role of reflective practice in nursing education
• The effectiveness of flipped classroom models in nursing education
• The impact of virtual reality and augmented reality tools in nursing education
• Evaluating the effectiveness of online vs. traditional classroom nursing education
• Strategies for enhancing interprofessional education in nursing curricula
• The role of continuous professional development in enhancing nursing competencies
• Assessing the influence of mentorship programs on nursing student success and retention
• Transforming advanced nursing practice: embracing IOM recommendations and higher education
• The impact of mentorship on nursing students’ learning and professional development
• The use of team-based learning in nursing education
• The effectiveness of hands-on skills training in nursing education
• Student perceptions of clinical experiences in nursing education
• The impact of service learning on nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors
• The role of cultural humility in nursing education
• The effectiveness of blended learning in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating patient-centered care into nursing curricula
• The impact of standardized patient encounters on nursing education outcomes
• Importance and application of patient education technology in healthcare
• The use of case-based learning in nursing education
• The role of faculty development in improving nursing education outcomes
• The effectiveness of clinical reasoning strategies in nursing education
• The impact of nursing education on patient outcomes
• The role of simulation in teaching critical thinking in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating evidence-based practice into nursing curricula
• The use of gamification in nursing education
• The effectiveness of problem-based learning in nursing education
• The impact of nursing education on student stress and burnout
• The role of intercultural competence in nursing education
• The effectiveness of collaborative learning in nursing education
• The impact of teaching communication skills in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating patient safety into nursing curricula
• The role of interprofessional collaboration in nursing education
• The effectiveness of clinical coaching in nursing education
• The impact of teaching teamwork skills in nursing education
• The use of high-fidelity simulation in nursing education
• The role of experiential learning in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating leadership development into nursing curricula
• The impact of nursing education on student retention and graduation rates
• The effectiveness of self-directed learning in nursing education

Healthcare Policy

Studying the impact of healthcare policy on the nursing profession and patient outcomes, including the role of nursing in healthcare reform efforts, is a crucial area of nursing research. Nurses can examine the policy’s effect on healthcare access, quality, and affordability and propose solutions to address policy gaps and challenges.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Healthcare Policy

• The impact of the affordable care act on the nursing profession
• Exploring healthcare informatics: evolution, challenges, and solutions
• The role of nursing in healthcare reform efforts
• The impact of medicare and Medicaid on nursing practice
• The impact of private insurance on nursing practice
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing workforce development
• Combating workplace violence in nursing: the impact of policies, legislation, and organizational culture
• The role of nursing in healthcare policy decision-making
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient outcomes
• The role of nurses in implementing healthcare policies
• The implications of universal healthcare policies on nursing roles and responsibilities
• Evaluating the impact of health insurance reforms on nursing care delivery
• Strategies for nurses to influence healthcare policy decisions at the national and state levels
• The role of nursing in shaping policies related to patient rights and autonomy
• Assessing the influence of healthcare policy on nursing education and licensure requirements
• Evaluating the impact of nurse advocacy on shaping health policies at local and national levels
• Strategies for nurses to stay updated on changing healthcare policies and their implications
• The role of nursing in shaping policies related to electronic health records and patient privacy
• Assessing the implications of global health policies on nursing practices and education
• The influence of healthcare policies on the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing education and training
• The impact of healthcare policies on nurse staffing ratios
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient satisfaction
• Understanding the impact of the American Healthcare System Regulatory Acts
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare costs
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare disparities
• The role of nursing in advocating for healthcare policy changes
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient safety
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing job satisfaction
• Understanding the US. Health Care Reform: necessity, challenges, and implementation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing burnout
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing retention rates
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing leadership
• The role of nursing in shaping healthcare policies
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare quality
• Workplace violence in healthcare: causes, regulations, and prevention strategies
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing productivity
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare access
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing workload
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing autonomy
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing scope of practice
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing professional development
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing research
• The role of nursing in developing healthcare policies
• Massachusetts Health Reform Act: striving for universal coverage and controlled costs
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing career advancement
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing licensure and certification
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing accreditation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing ethics
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing professionalism
• The role of nursing in healthcare policy implementation and evaluation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing informatics
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing diversity and inclusion
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing practice in rural areas
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing practice in underserved communities
• The impact of healthcare policies on international nursing practice

The Importance of Research in Nursing

Research is the bedrock of nursing practice. It provides evidence-based knowledge that informs clinical decision-making, enhances patient outcomes, and advances the nursing profession. For nursing students, engaging in research activities offers several benefits:

• Enhanced Clinical Practice

Evidence-based research provides nurses with the latest knowledge and techniques to deliver optimal patient care. It bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring that patients receive the most current and effective treatments.

• Professional Development

Engaging in research sharpens critical thinking and analytical skills. It fosters a culture of continuous learning, allowing nurses to stay updated with the ever-evolving medical field.

• Contribution to the Field

By conducting research, nurses contribute to the larger body of knowledge in healthcare. Their findings can lead to improvements in patient care, the development of new interventions, or changes in healthcare policies.

• Enhanced Patient Outcomes

Research equips nurses with the knowledge to educate patients, advocate for their needs, and make informed decisions. This ensures better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.

• Career Advancement

For those looking to advance in their careers, research can open doors to academic positions, leadership roles, or specialized fields within nursing.

Tips for Selecting a Suitable Research Topic

• Align with Interests

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. This will keep you motivated throughout the research process.

• Relevance to Current Trends

Consider current trends and challenges in healthcare. Addressing contemporary issues can make your research more impactful.

• Feasibility

Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources and tools to conduct your research. This includes access to participants, equipment, and relevant literature.

It’s essential to choose a topic that’s neither too broad nor too narrow. A well-defined research question will guide your study and ensure it’s manageable.

• Seek Guidance

Don’t hesitate to seek advice from mentors, professors, or professionals in the field. Their insights can help refine your topic and provide valuable direction.

In conclusion, research is a vital component of the nursing profession, driving innovation and ensuring the best patient outcomes. For nursing students and professionals, engaging in research is not only a pathway to academic and career success but also a means to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of patient care.

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How nursing research informs nursing practice

Research can help improve patients’ outcomes as well as nurses’ professional lives, National Institute of Nursing Research director says at UND

Last Friday, a high-profile member of the nursing profession visited the UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines. The visitor was Shannon Zenk, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, a part of the National Institutes of Health that conducts research and establishes a scientific basis for evolving nursing practices.

During a 45-minute fireside chat with CNPD Dean Maridee Shogren , Zenk shared her insights with the nearly 250 students in attendance. She emphasized the importance of the symbiotic relationship between nursing practice and research.

“They need to be interconnected. One informs the other,” Zenk said. “What we see in our practice informs the types of research questions we ask, and it’s really important that we take the evidence generated from research and apply it to our practice. There’s a continuum, and nurses are involved in the whole process.”

Zenk developed an interest in research after transitioning from the more traditional surgical-medical setting to one focusing on homecare. As she visited patients in their homes and interacted more directly with communities, she began to recognize common problems faced by populations with higher rates of illness — and this led to a growing interest in research.

“I was really struck by the differences in the resources people have, the differences in the communities and the implications that those factors had for people’s health,” Zenk said.

Early on in their conversation, Shogren asked Zenk what she believes to be the most urgent struggles faced in healthcare. Zenk replied that research increasingly shows a need to address gaps in health outcomes based on socioeconomic and racial differences.

“These disparities are among the biggest challenges we face, and we cannot address those challenges unless we take a big-picture approach to understanding health detriments and solutions,” Zenk said. “That means we’re looking upstream at the most fundamental drivers of what shapes our health: poverty, race, housing and food access and affordability.”

An increased focus on research regarding “upstream” contributors to overall health will equip healthcare professionals with the tools to address the root causes of illness before they manifest, Zenk said. And nurses, she said are uniquely positioned to help identify and solve these problems.

“The scope of our practice, the depth of our knowledge — from biological to societal — and our focus on individual patients, families and the community makes nursing research distinct,” she said. “Nurses have always had a really holistic perspective on health, and I think social determinants are a part of that.”

This broader approach to looking at community health outcomes has sparked an increased interest in healthcare equity, which Shogren says she’s seen flourishing in UND’s programs.

“We’ve seen a growing number of our students being especially interested in Indigenous health,” Shogren said, referencing the Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing or RAIN program. “We know that 79 percent of our nursing graduates from that program have gone on to be employees in Indigenous health centers in their home communities.”

In reply, Zenk said that that supporting a more diverse workforce is the next step toward creating a more equitable healthcare system.

“Both practice and research settings require people with diverse perspectives and diverse experiences to come together to really understand what is needed to improve people’s health,” she said. “We want to bring in people who haven’t had as much chance to have a seat at the table and give them opportunities to engage in research.”

Accordingly, Zenk hopes that as the table expands, nurses and nurse researchers will have more opportunities to improve the health of their communities.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to bring the nursing perspective — our voice, our viewpoint — to the table,” she said. “I hope that, as we move forward, we’ll apply our expertise and our experience to make a difference in reducing and eliminating health disparities.”

Following Shogren and Zenk’s discussion, the leaders opened the floor to questions from students and faculty, including questions about how students can get involved with research as undergraduates and how to find internships in the state.

A student looking ahead to graduation in May asked how she could integrate nursing research into her career when she is a practicing nurse.

“Don’t let go of those skills and the motivation you’re acquiring in class to look at and understand the research and literature,” Zenk replied. “I think it’s critically important to stay on top of the evidence and best practices to inform what you’re doing.”

Another student, interested in a research career, asked what being a nurse researcher is like. Zenk replied that while research roles and career paths are varied, the most fulfilling part of her work is the ability to connect with patients and the community.

“The most enjoyable part in my role is getting to talk with people and engage with communities to learn what’s important to them and what they think will work to improve their health,” she said. “Just like in practice, you’re getting to spend time with patients, families and communities. In research, that just looks a little different.”

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Introduction to qualitative nursing research

This type of research can reveal important information that quantitative research can’t.

• Qualitative research is valuable because it approaches a phenomenon, such as a clinical problem, about which little is known by trying to understand its many facets.
• Most qualitative research is emergent, holistic, detailed, and uses many strategies to collect data.
• Qualitative research generates evidence and helps nurses determine patient preferences.

Research 101: Descriptive statistics

Differentiating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement

How to appraise quantitative research articles

All nurses are expected to understand and apply evidence to their professional practice. Some of the evidence should be in the form of research, which fills gaps in knowledge, developing and expanding on current understanding. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods inform nursing practice, but quantitative research tends to be more emphasized. In addition, many nurses don’t feel comfortable conducting or evaluating qualitative research. But once you understand qualitative research, you can more easily apply it to your nursing practice.

What is qualitative research?

Defining qualitative research can be challenging. In fact, some authors suggest that providing a simple definition is contrary to the method’s philosophy. Qualitative research approaches a phenomenon, such as a clinical problem, from a place of unknowing and attempts to understand its many facets. This makes qualitative research particularly useful when little is known about a phenomenon because the research helps identify key concepts and constructs. Qualitative research sets the foundation for future quantitative or qualitative research. Qualitative research also can stand alone without quantitative research.

Although qualitative research is diverse, certain characteristics—holism, subjectivity, intersubjectivity, and situated contexts—guide its methodology. This type of research stresses the importance of studying each individual as a holistic system (holism) influenced by surroundings (situated contexts); each person develops his or her own subjective world (subjectivity) that’s influenced by interactions with others (intersubjectivity) and surroundings (situated contexts). Think of it this way: Each person experiences and interprets the world differently based on many factors, including his or her history and interactions. The truth is a composite of realities.

Qualitative research designs

Because qualitative research explores diverse topics and examines phenomena where little is known, designs and methodologies vary. Despite this variation, most qualitative research designs are emergent and holistic. In addition, they require merging data collection strategies and an intensely involved researcher. (See Research design characteristics .)

Although qualitative research designs are emergent, advanced planning and careful consideration should include identifying a phenomenon of interest, selecting a research design, indicating broad data collection strategies and opportunities to enhance study quality, and considering and/or setting aside (bracketing) personal biases, views, and assumptions.

Many qualitative research designs are used in nursing. Most originated in other disciplines, while some claim no link to a particular disciplinary tradition. Designs that aren’t linked to a discipline, such as descriptive designs, may borrow techniques from other methodologies; some authors don’t consider them to be rigorous (high-quality and trustworthy). (See Common qualitative research designs .)

Sampling approaches

Sampling approaches depend on the qualitative research design selected. However, in general, qualitative samples are small, nonrandom, emergently selected, and intensely studied. Qualitative research sampling is concerned with accurately representing and discovering meaning in experience, rather than generalizability. For this reason, researchers tend to look for participants or informants who are considered “information rich” because they maximize understanding by representing varying demographics and/or ranges of experiences. As a study progresses, researchers look for participants who confirm, challenge, modify, or enrich understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Many authors argue that the concepts and constructs discovered in qualitative research transcend a particular study, however, and find applicability to others. For example, consider a qualitative study about the lived experience of minority nursing faculty and the incivility they endure. The concepts learned in this study may transcend nursing or minority faculty members and also apply to other populations, such as foreign-born students, nurses, or faculty.

Qualitative nursing research can take many forms. The design you choose will depend on the question you’re trying to answer.

A sample size is estimated before a qualitative study begins, but the final sample size depends on the study scope, data quality, sensitivity of the research topic or phenomenon of interest, and researchers’ skills. For example, a study with a narrow scope, skilled researchers, and a nonsensitive topic likely will require a smaller sample. Data saturation frequently is a key consideration in final sample size. When no new insights or information are obtained, data saturation is attained and sampling stops, although researchers may analyze one or two more cases to be certain. (See Sampling types .)

Some controversy exists around the concept of saturation in qualitative nursing research. Thorne argues that saturation is a concept appropriate for grounded theory studies and not other study types. She suggests that “information power” is perhaps more appropriate terminology for qualitative nursing research sampling and sample size.

Data collection and analysis

Researchers are guided by their study design when choosing data collection and analysis methods. Common types of data collection include interviews (unstructured, semistructured, focus groups); observations of people, environments, or contexts; documents; records; artifacts; photographs; or journals. When collecting data, researchers must be mindful of gaining participant trust while also guarding against too much emotional involvement, ensuring comprehensive data collection and analysis, conducting appropriate data management, and engaging in reflexivity.

Data usually are recorded in detailed notes, memos, and audio or visual recordings, which frequently are transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually or using software programs, such as ATLAS.ti, HyperRESEARCH, MAXQDA, or NVivo. Analyzing qualitative data is complex work. Researchers act as reductionists, distilling enormous amounts of data into concise yet rich and valuable knowledge. They code or identify themes, translating abstract ideas into meaningful information. The good news is that qualitative research typically is easy to understand because it’s reported in stories told in everyday language.

Evaluating a qualitative study

Evaluating qualitative research studies can be challenging. Many terms—rigor, validity, integrity, and trustworthiness—can describe study quality, but in the end you want to know whether the study’s findings accurately and comprehensively represent the phenomenon of interest. Many researchers identify a quality framework when discussing quality-enhancement strategies. Example frameworks include:

• Trustworthiness criteria framework, which enhances credibility, dependability, confirmability, transferability, and authenticity
• Validity in qualitative research framework, which enhances credibility, authenticity, criticality, integrity, explicitness, vividness, creativity, thoroughness, congruence, and sensitivity.

With all frameworks, many strategies can be used to help meet identified criteria and enhance quality. (See Research quality enhancement ). And considering the study as a whole is important to evaluating its quality and rigor. For example, when looking for evidence of rigor, look for a clear and concise report title that describes the research topic and design and an abstract that summarizes key points (background, purpose, methods, results, conclusions).

Application to nursing practice

Qualitative research not only generates evidence but also can help nurses determine patient preferences. Without qualitative research, we can’t truly understand others, including their interpretations, meanings, needs, and wants. Qualitative research isn’t generalizable in the traditional sense, but it helps nurses open their minds to others’ experiences. For example, nurses can protect patient autonomy by understanding them and not reducing them to universal protocols or plans. As Munhall states, “Each person we encounter help[s] us discover what is best for [him or her]. The other person, not us, is truly the expert knower of [him- or herself].” Qualitative nursing research helps us understand the complexity and many facets of a problem and gives us insights as we encourage others’ voices and searches for meaning.

When paired with clinical judgment and other evidence, qualitative research helps us implement evidence-based practice successfully. For example, a phenomenological inquiry into the lived experience of disaster workers might help expose strengths and weaknesses of individuals, populations, and systems, providing areas of focused intervention. Or a phenomenological study of the lived experience of critical-care patients might expose factors (such dark rooms or no visible clocks) that contribute to delirium.

Successful implementation

Qualitative nursing research guides understanding in practice and sets the foundation for future quantitative and qualitative research. Knowing how to conduct and evaluate qualitative research can help nurses implement evidence-based practice successfully.

When evaluating a qualitative study, you should consider it as a whole. The following questions to consider when examining study quality and evidence of rigor are adapted from the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Jennifer Chicca is a PhD candidate at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and a part-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Amankwaa L. Creating protocols for trustworthiness in qualitative research. J Cult Divers. 2016;23(3):121-7.

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200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

Running out of topic ideas for your nursing research paper?

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

What are Some Cool topics to Research?

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

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

1. Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Good Research Topics in Healthcare Management

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

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

3. Nursing Research Topics about Pain Management

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

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

4. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

What are the Current issues in Nursing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Research topic ideas for Midwifery Nursing

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

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

2. Health Promotion Research Topics

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

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

3. Adult Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

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

4. Geriatric Care Nursing Journal Topics

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

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

What are the recent nursing research paper topics?

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

1. Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Mental Health Nursing Research Articles Topics

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

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

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

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

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

Academic Writing Service: Work Directly With the Experts

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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Home » 500+ Nursing Research Topic Ideas

500+ Nursing Research Topic Ideas

Table of Contents

Nursing research plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. As a field that is constantly evolving, there is a great need for new ideas and innovative approaches to address the challenges faced by nurses in their day-to-day practice. In this article, we will explore some exciting nursing research topic ideas that can help guide the development of new studies and inspire nurses to make meaningful contributions to the field. From exploring the impact of technology on nursing practice to investigating the effectiveness of alternative therapies, there is no shortage of interesting and important topics to explore in the world of nursing research.

Nursing Research Topic Ideas

Nursing Research Topic Ideas are as follows:

• The effectiveness of telemedicine in providing nursing care.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on medication adherence in chronic disease management.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing burnout among nurses.
• The influence of cultural competence on patient satisfaction with nursing care.
• The effects of virtual reality simulation training on nursing students’ clinical competencies.
• The impact of nurse practitioner-led care on chronic disease management in primary care.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led discharge planning on patient outcomes.
• The influence of nurse-to-patient ratios on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led health coaching on lifestyle modifications in patients with chronic diseases.
• The effects of interprofessional collaboration on patient outcomes in acute care settings.
• The impact of nurse-led patient education on medication adherence in older adults.
• The relationship between nurse work environment and patient safety outcomes.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with chronic pain.
• The influence of nurse staffing levels on patient satisfaction with nursing care.
• The effects of a nurse-led palliative care program on quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses.
• The impact of nurse-led group therapy on social support and quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led motivational interviewing on smoking cessation in patients with mental health disorders.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient length of stay in acute care settings.
• The effects of nurse-led behavioral interventions on weight loss and management in patients with obesity.
• The influence of nurse-led interventions on self-care management in patients with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led mindfulness-based stress reduction programs on caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with dementia.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on pain management in patients with sickle cell disease.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient readmission rates.
• The effects of nurse-led motivational interviewing on medication adherence in patients with hypertension.
• The influence of nurse-led telehealth programs on glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on patient outcomes in postoperative care.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on patient satisfaction with hospital food services.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient falls in acute care settings.
• The effects of nurse-led interventions on patient anxiety and stress in the preoperative period.
• The influence of nurse-led interventions on wound healing in patients with chronic ulcers.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on postpartum depression in new mothers.
• The impact of nurse-led transitional care on hospital readmissions in older adults.
• The relationship between nurse work environment and nurse retention.
• The effects of nurse-led music therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with dementia.
• The influence of nurse-led mindfulness-based interventions on sleep quality in patients with insomnia.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on symptom management in patients with cancer.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on patient satisfaction with care coordination.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality in critical care settings.
• The effects of nurse-led interventions on patient outcomes in end-of-life care.
• The impact of mindfulness meditation on the mental health of nursing students.
• The effect of patient education on the adherence to medication regimens in older adults.
• The role of nurse-led interventions in improving physical activity levels in sedentary individuals.
• The efficacy of telehealth in managing chronic conditions in rural communities.
• The effect of music therapy on anxiety and pain in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• The impact of cultural competency training on nursing students’ attitudes towards diverse patient populations.
• The effectiveness of peer support interventions in reducing readmission rates among individuals with heart failure.
• The use of virtual reality in nursing education to improve clinical decision-making skills.
• The role of family caregivers in end-of-life care decision making.
• The impact of nurse-led discharge planning on hospital readmission rates.
• The effect of a structured communication tool on interdisciplinary communication and collaboration in acute care settings.
• The role of nurses in promoting vaccination uptake in underserved communities.
• The impact of early mobilization on functional outcomes in critically ill patients.
• The effectiveness of an interdisciplinary team approach in managing chronic pain in older adults.
• The role of nursing in addressing the opioid epidemic.
• The effect of a nurse-led weight management program on obesity-related health outcomes.
• The impact of technology-based interventions on medication adherence in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
• The effectiveness of a nursing-led smoking cessation program in hospitalized patients.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy sleep habits in children.
• The effect of a nurse-led intervention on caregiver burden in family caregivers of stroke survivors.
• The impact of nurse-led motivational interviewing on lifestyle behavior change in individuals with chronic conditions.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led care transitions in reducing hospital readmissions.
• The role of nursing in promoting advance care planning among older adults.
• The impact of a nurse-led education program on self-care management in individuals with diabetes.
• The effect of nurse-led education on medication adherence in individuals with hypertension.
• The role of nurses in identifying and addressing social determinants of health in underserved populations.
• The impact of a nurse-led exercise program on physical function and quality of life in older adults.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on smoking cessation in pregnant women.
• The role of nurses in promoting health literacy among diverse patient populations.
• The effect of a nurse-led fall prevention program on fall-related injuries in older adults.
• The impact of a nurse-led education program on medication safety in hospitalized patients.
• The effectiveness of a nurse-led mindfulness-based stress reduction program in individuals with chronic pain.
• The role of nurses in managing the care of individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
• The effect of nurse-led patient education on the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.
• The impact of nurse-led coaching on self-management in individuals with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led care coordination in improving care transitions for individuals with complex medical needs.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy eating habits in children and adolescents.
• The effect of a nurse-led symptom management program on quality of life in individuals with advanced cancer.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on the self-efficacy of individuals with chronic conditions.
• The role of nurses in promoting sexual health education among adolescents.
• The effect of a nurse-led peer support program on mental health outcomes in individuals with substance use disorders.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on nutrition and physical activity in pregnant women.
• The role of nurses in addressing health disparities in marginalized communities.
• The effect of nurse-led mindfulness interventions on the mental health of healthcare providers.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on medication adherence and quality of life in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing healthcare-associated infections in long-term care facilities.
• The role of nurses in promoting palliative care for individuals with advanced dementia.
• The effect of a nurse-led exercise program on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing falls in hospitalized older adults.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on reducing medication errors in hospitalized patients.
• The role of nurses in promoting sexual and reproductive health among LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving medication adherence in individuals with mental health conditions.
• The impact of nurse-led coaching on self-care management in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving sleep quality in individuals with chronic pain.
• The role of nurses in promoting oral health in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired delirium.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on the self-care management of individuals with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on self-care management in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare costs for individuals with chronic conditions.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving the quality of life of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting early detection and management of sepsis in hospitalized patients.
• The effect of nurse-led education on promoting breastfeeding among new mothers.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on the management of chronic pain in individuals with sickle cell disease.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving medication adherence in individuals with heart failure.
• The role of nurses in promoting health literacy and patient empowerment among individuals with low health literacy.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing readmission rates in individuals with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving medication adherence in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting self-care management among individuals with depression.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on improving the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injuries.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing medication errors in outpatient settings.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among older adults with chronic conditions.
• The role of nurses in promoting self-management among individuals with schizophrenia.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving mental health outcomes in individuals with chronic pain.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing hospital length of stay for individuals with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving the quality of life of individuals with chronic hepatitis C.
• The role of nurses in promoting pain management strategies for patients with sickle cell disease.
• The effect of a nurse-led education program on improving the quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their caregivers.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare-associated infections in the neonatal intensive care unit.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving self-care management and quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting patient safety through effective communication strategies.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on reducing readmission rates in patients with congestive heart failure.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on improving end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on improving the nutritional status of patients with diabetes.
• The role of nurses in promoting evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on reducing anxiety and depression in patients with chronic pain.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing medication errors in the emergency department.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting tobacco cessation among patients with respiratory diseases.
• The role of nurses in promoting culturally competent care for patients from diverse backgrounds.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on improving sleep quality and quantity for patients with sleep disorders.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on improving self-management and quality of life for patients with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients.
• The role of nurses in promoting early recognition and management of sepsis in the emergency department.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving patient satisfaction with pain management.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare costs for patients with chronic conditions.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting adherence to medication regimens among patients with HIV/AIDS.
• The role of nurses in promoting patient-centered care for patients with chronic diseases.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on improving pain management in patients with dementia.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of falls in hospitalized patients.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving wound healing in patients with chronic wounds.
• The role of nurses in promoting early detection and management of delirium in hospitalized patients.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving patient outcomes after cardiac surgery.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare-associated infections in long-term care facilities.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting healthy eating behaviors among adolescents with obesity.
• The role of nurses in promoting patient safety through effective hand hygiene practices.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on improving functional status and quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing readmission rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on improving patient outcomes after hip replacement surgery.
• The role of nurses in promoting effective communication between patients and healthcare providers.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving medication management in patients with multiple chronic conditions.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare costs for patients with mental health conditions.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting physical activity among patients with cardiovascular diseases.
• The role of nurses in promoting patient-centered care for patients with substance use disorders.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on improving self-care management and quality of life for patients with asthma.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit.
• The role of nurses in promoting resilience among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving adherence to tuberculosis medication.
• The impact of nurse-led programs on improving end-of-life care in hospice settings.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy sleep habits in hospitalized children.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving wound care management in individuals with diabetes.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on improving patient satisfaction in emergency departments.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on reducing medication errors in pediatric settings.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy aging among older adults living in rural communities.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving oral hygiene in individuals with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in neonatal intensive care units.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on improving pain management in individuals with sickle cell disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting mental health awareness and support in the workplace.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare providers.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on improving self-management in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on reducing readmission rates in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals with HIV/AIDS.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing falls in older adults living in long-term care facilities.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led programs on improving communication and teamwork in healthcare settings.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents with obesity.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving pain management in individuals with cancer.
• The impact of a nurse-led program on improving self-management in individuals with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting healthy sexuality in individuals with disabilities.
• The role of nurses in promoting mental health among homeless populations.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving self-care management in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing medication errors in geriatric settings.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led programs on improving patient outcomes in acute care settings.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy coping mechanisms among individuals with chronic pain.
• The effect of nurse-led education on improving wound care management in individuals with venous leg ulcers.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing hospital readmission rates in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led programs on improving end-of-life care in nursing homes.
• The role of nurses in promoting safe medication administration in pediatric settings.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving sleep quality in individuals with depression.
• The impact of nurse-led programs on improving pain management in individuals with fibromyalgia.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on improving communication skills among healthcare providers.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals with mental health conditions.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on improving self-care management in individuals with chronic heart failure.
• The impact of nurse-led programs on improving patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led education on promoting healthy habits among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Interesting Nursing Research Topic Ideas

• The impact of nurse-led health education on the management of chronic diseases in low-income communities.
• The effectiveness of using telehealth technology to monitor and manage patients with mental health disorders.
• The role of nursing in promoting ethical and responsible use of AI in healthcare.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline nurses.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques on reducing burnout among nurses.
• Exploring the experiences of male nurses in a predominantly female profession.
• The impact of nurse-patient communication on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
• The effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety and pain among patients in intensive care units.
• The impact of social media on nursing education and professional development.
• The impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction.
• The use of simulation-based training in nursing education to improve clinical competency.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing hospital readmissions.
• The impact of interprofessional collaboration on patient safety and quality of care.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led smoking cessation interventions in promoting smoking cessation among patients.
• The role of nurses in promoting sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases.
• The impact of cultural competence training on nursing practice and patient outcomes.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in improving sleep quality among shift-working nurses.
• The role of nurses in promoting vaccination uptake among underserved populations.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on improving self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving pain management among cancer patients.
• The impact of nurse-led care coordination on improving care transitions for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases.
• The effectiveness of peer mentoring programs in promoting professional development among novice nurses.
• The impact of nurse-led palliative care interventions on improving end-of-life care for patients with terminal illnesses.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing falls among elderly patients in long-term care facilities.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases in the community.
• The impact of nurse-led discharge planning on reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient outcomes.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving glycemic control among patients with diabetes.
• The role of nurses in promoting mental health and wellbeing among healthcare professionals.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in promoting self-management behaviors among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led motivational interviewing in promoting physical activity among sedentary patients.
• The role of nurses in promoting safe medication use and preventing medication errors.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in improving nutritional status among patients with malnutrition.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in promoting breastfeeding among new mothers.
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy work environments and preventing workplace violence.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in promoting early detection and management of hypertension.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy among patients with HIV.
• The role of nurses in promoting evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in promoting smoking cessation among pregnant women.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving sleep quality among patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
• The role of nurses in promoting patient safety and preventing medical errors.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in improving symptom management among patients with advanced cancer.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in promoting hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers.

Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Research Topic Ideas

• The effect of nurse-led education on medication adherence in patients with chronic illnesses.
• The use of telehealth to improve patient outcomes in rural communities.
• The impact of music therapy on pain management in postoperative patients.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction in reducing burnout in nursing staff.
• The effect of exercise on the prevention of falls in elderly patients.
• The use of simulation-based training in improving clinical competency in nursing students.
• The effect of nurse-led discharge planning on readmission rates.
• The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for agitation in patients with dementia.
• The impact of bedside reporting on patient safety and satisfaction.
• The effect of aromatherapy on anxiety in hospitalized patients.
• The use of standardized protocols to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
• The effectiveness of peer support in improving diabetes self-management.
• The impact of patient-centered care on outcomes for patients with chronic illnesses.
• The effect of nursing interventions on the prevention of pressure ulcers.
• The use of telemonitoring to improve outcomes in heart failure patients.
• The effect of early mobility programs on outcomes in critically ill patients.
• The effectiveness of team-based care in improving outcomes for patients with complex medical conditions.
• The use of acupressure to manage postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections.
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing symptoms of depression in patients with chronic illnesses.
• The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on pain management in cancer patients.
• The use of telepsychiatry in improving access to mental health care in rural communities.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led smoking cessation interventions.
• The impact of a family-centered care approach on outcomes for critically ill pediatric patients.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on medication adherence in patients with hypertension.
• The use of music therapy to improve sleep in hospitalized patients.
• The effectiveness of patient education in reducing hospital readmissions.
• The impact of nursing interventions on the prevention of falls in hospitalized patients.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
• The use of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce stress in nursing students.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing healthcare-associated infections.
• The impact of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management on outcomes for patients with chronic pain.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
• The use of telehealth to provide palliative care to patients with advanced illnesses.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing the incidence of pressure injuries in long-term care facilities.
• The impact of a nurse-led transitional care program on outcomes for patients with heart failure.
• The effect of a nurse-led sepsis protocol on early recognition and treatment.
• The use of animal-assisted therapy in the management of anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients.
• The effectiveness of a nurse-led motivational interviewing intervention in improving self-care behaviors in patients with chronic illnesses.
• The impact of a nurse-led hand hygiene program on healthcare-associated infections.
• The effect of nurse-led interventions on the prevention of surgical site infections.
• The use of telehealth to provide mental health services to underserved populations.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving pain management in elderly patients with dementia.
• The impact of a nurse-led transitional care program on outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• The effect of a nurse-led program on the prevention of urinary tract infections in long-term care facilities.

Nursing Research Topic Ideas Medical Surgical Nursing

• The Effectiveness of Pre-operative Education on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Manual Turning vs. Mechanical Turning on Pressure Injury Prevention in Hospitalized Patients.
• The Impact of Postoperative Pain Management on the Length of Hospital Stay for Surgical Patients.
• The Role of Nursing Interventions in Reducing the Incidence of Falls in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Effect of Nursing Shortage on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Nurse-Patient Communication and its Impact on Patient Satisfaction in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Efficacy of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Medical-Surgical Patients.
• A Comparison of Standardized Nursing Care Plans vs. Individualized Nursing Care Plans in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Nurse Staffing Levels on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Medication Adherence among Medical-Surgical Patients.
• The Effect of Family-Centered Care on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Wound Care Management in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• The Impact of Nursing Rounds on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Comparison of Two Nursing Care Models in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Pain Management Practices in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• The Effectiveness of Discharge Planning on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Traditional vs. High-Fidelity Simulation Training on Nursing Competence in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Multidisciplinary Rounds on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Hand Hygiene Practices among Medical-Surgical Nurses.
• The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Nurses’ Well-being and Job Satisfaction in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Bedside Shift Reporting vs. Traditional Shift Reporting on Patient Safety in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Nursing Education on Pressure Injury Prevention in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Study of Nurse Leadership Styles and their Effect on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Effect of Teamwork on Patient Safety in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Electronic Health Records vs. Paper-Based Records on Nursing Documentation in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Nursing Knowledge on Medication Safety in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Study of Palliative Care Practices in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• The Effect of Exercise Interventions on the Rehabilitation of Medical-Surgical Patients.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of RN-BSN Programs vs. ADN Programs on Nursing Competence in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Cultural Competence on Patient Satisfaction in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Advanced Practice Nursing in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Effectiveness of Clinical Decision Support Systems on Medication Safety in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Direct vs. Indirect Care on Nursing Workload in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Staff Education on Sepsis Management in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• A Study of Patient Education Practices in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
• The Effect of Nursing Care Models on Patient Safety in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Comparative Study of the Effect of Nurse-led vs. Physician-led Rounds on Patient Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Units.
• The Impact of Patient Experience on Nurse Job Satisfaction in Medical-Surgical Units.
• A Study of Medication Errors in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

Nursing Research Topics About Community

• The effectiveness of community health worker programs in improving health outcomes among underserved populations
• The role of nurses in promoting community-based health initiatives and prevention programs
• The impact of neighborhood characteristics on health outcomes and health behaviors
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing health disparities in rural communities
• Examining the effects of community-based palliative care programs on end-of-life care
• Investigating the factors influencing healthcare access and utilization among homeless populations
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on vaccination rates in low-income communities
• Assessing the effectiveness of nurse-led telehealth programs in rural and remote communities
• Examining the role of community-based nursing in disaster preparedness and response
• The effects of social determinants of health on maternal and child health outcomes in disadvantaged communities
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on substance abuse and addiction in community settings
• The effectiveness of community-based health promotion programs in reducing obesity rates
• The impact of cultural competency training on nursing practice in diverse communities
• Examining the effects of community-based nursing on healthcare costs and utilization
• Investigating the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving mental health outcomes in community settings
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related illnesses in community settings
• The effects of community-based interventions on reducing hospital readmissions for chronic conditions
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on access to healthcare for undocumented immigrants
• The effectiveness of school-based nurse-led interventions in promoting adolescent health
• Examining the effects of community-based nursing on reducing emergency department visits for non-emergent conditions
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing infant mortality rates in disadvantaged communities
• The role of nurses in promoting health equity and reducing health disparities in underserved communities
• The effects of community-based nursing on improving medication adherence and reducing medication errors
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on improving health literacy in disadvantaged communities
• Investigating the effectiveness of community-based nursing in reducing readmissions for heart failure patients
• The role of nurses in promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related illnesses in long-term care settings
• Examining the effects of community-based nursing on reducing healthcare costs for chronic conditions
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing sexually transmitted infections in high-risk communities
• The effectiveness of community-based nursing in reducing hospital-acquired infections in long-term care facilities
• The role of nurses in promoting mental health and well-being in community settings
• The effects of community-based nursing on reducing healthcare utilization for chronic conditions
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare costs for low-income populations
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving health outcomes among immigrant populations
• Examining the role of community-based nursing in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in high-risk populations
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on improving health outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in promoting breast cancer screening in disadvantaged communities
• The role of nurses in promoting health equity and reducing health disparities in migrant populations
• The effects of community-based nursing on improving end-of-life care for patients with advanced illness
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on improving health outcomes for individuals with disabilities in community settings
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing rates of cardiovascular disease in high-risk communities
• Examining the role of community-based nursing in promoting healthy eating behaviors and reducing food insecurity
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led interventions on reducing healthcare costs for chronic pain management in community settings

Nursing Research Topics for BSc Students

• The impact of nursing interventions on patient satisfaction in post-operative care.
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in ICU.
• The role of the nurse in promoting patient safety in a pediatric setting.
• The effectiveness of simulation-based training in nursing education.
• The impact of electronic medical records on nursing practice.
• The experiences of nursing students during clinical placements.
• The role of the nurse in managing chronic illness in the elderly.
• The relationship between nursing care and patient outcomes in palliative care.
• The effectiveness of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare teams.
• The impact of nursing leadership styles on job satisfaction and retention.
• The role of the nurse in promoting self-management in patients with chronic conditions.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for nursing students.
• The relationship between nurse staffing and patient mortality in acute care settings.
• The experiences of nurses working in rural healthcare settings.
• The role of the nurse in promoting health literacy among patients.
• The effectiveness of nursing interventions for reducing hospital readmissions.
• The relationship between nurse burnout and patient safety.
• The experiences of family caregivers of patients with dementia.
• The role of the nurse in managing symptoms in patients with cancer.
• The impact of cultural competence on patient-centered care.
• The relationship between nursing care and patient outcomes in psychiatric settings.
• The experiences of nurses working in home healthcare settings.
• The role of the nurse in promoting healthy lifestyle choices among patients.
• The effectiveness of nursing interventions for reducing healthcare-associated infections.
• The relationship between nurse staffing and patient satisfaction in emergency departments.
• The experiences of nurses working with patients with substance abuse disorders.
• The role of the nurse in promoting medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions.
• The impact of technology on nursing practice and patient outcomes.
• The relationship between nursing education and patient outcomes.
• The experiences of nurses working with patients with developmental disabilities.
• The role of the nurse in promoting patient-centered care in long-term care settings.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led care for patients with chronic conditions.
• The relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings.
• The experiences of nurses working in hospice care.
• The role of the nurse in promoting mental health and wellness in patients.
• The impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes in maternal and child health.
• The relationship between nurse burnout and patient outcomes in critical care settings.
• The experiences of nurses working with patients with eating disorders.
• The role of the nurse in promoting patient safety in surgical settings.
• The effectiveness of nursing interventions for reducing pain in patients with chronic conditions.
• The relationship between nursing care and patient outcomes in primary care settings.
• The experiences of nurses working in disaster response settings.
• The role of the nurse in promoting cultural humility in healthcare.
• The impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes in infectious disease management.
• The relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes in neonatal care.
• The experiences of nurses working with patients with traumatic brain injuries.
• The role of the nurse in promoting end-of-life care and advance care planning.
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for managing depression in patients with chronic conditions.
• The relationship between nursing care and patient outcomes in geriatric care.
• The experiences of nurses working in correctional healthcare settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Library Research Guides - University of Wisconsin Ebling Library

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Nursing Resources : Types of Research within Qualitative and Quantitative

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Aspects of Quantative (Empirical) Research

♦   Statement of purpose—what was studied and why.

  ♦   Description of the methodology (experimental group, control group, variables, test conditions, test subjects, etc.).

  ♦   Results (usually numeric in form presented in tables or graphs, often with statistical analysis).

♦   Conclusions drawn from the results.

  ♦   Footnotes, a bibliography, author credentials.

Hint: the abstract (summary) of an article is the first place to check for most of the above features.  The abstract appears both in the database you search and at the top of the actual article.

Types of Quantitative Research

There are four (4) main types of quantitative designs: descriptive, correlational, quasi-experimental, and experimental.

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Types of Qualitative Research

http://wilderdom.com/OEcourses/PROFLIT/Class6Qualitative1.htm

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• Last Updated: Mar 19, 2024 10:39 AM
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Reviews of Literature in Nursing Research: Methodological Considerations and Defining Characteristics

Affiliation.

• 1 School of Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Ms Silva and Drs Woo, Galica, Wilson, and Luctkar-Flude); School of Nursing, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil (Dr Padilha and Ms Petry); and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Dr Silva E Silva).
• PMID: 35213877
• DOI: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000418

Despite the availability of guidelines about the different types of review literature, the identification of the best approach is not always clear for nursing researchers. Therefore, in this article, we provide a comprehensive guide to be used by health care and nursing scholars while choosing among 4 popular types of reviews (narrative, integrative, scoping, and systematic review), including a descriptive discussion, critical analysis, and decision map tree. Although some review methodologies are more rigorous, it would be inaccurate to say that one is preferable over the others. Instead, each methodology is adequate for a certain type of investigation, nursing methodology research, and research paradigm.

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

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Research Methods in Nursing

Qualitative, quantitative, observational, correlational, quasi-experimental, experimental, mixed-methods, triangulation, ask a librarian.

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QUALitative research "is best suited for research aimed at rich description or in-depth understanding of a phenomenon, rather than determining causality; it is particularly useful in understanding the relevance of contextual features in the expression of the phenomenon. Qualitative approaches are most often chosen when little is known about a topic or when new perspectives are needed; other functions of qualitative approaches include generating hypotheses, refining theory, providing illustrative examples, creating taxonomies, and generating items for instrument development.

Relying primarily on inductive rather than deductive processes, qualitative studies generally share several “ground-up” features that differentiate them from “top-down” quantitative research. These features are driven by two central tenets: an orientation to cases rather than variables, as well as a preference for emergent rather than fixed designs."

More Information from Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

Four types of qualitative research design often applied to nursing research are:

• Phenomenology - the study of human life experiences and how they appear in human consciousness
• Grounded Theory - seeks to explain variations in social interactional and social structural problems and processes
• Ethnography - As a research process, ethnography is a comparative method for investigating patterns of human behavior and cognition through observations and interactions in natural settings
• Narrative Inquiry - the analysis of meaning in context through interpretation of persons' life experiences

For more details , look up these research designs in:

Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research

QUANtitative research "consists of the collection, tabulation, summarization, and analysis of numerical data for the purpose of answering research questions or hypotheses. The term quantitative research is of recent origin and is distinguished from qualitative research in design, process, and the use of quantification techniques to measure and analyze the data. The vast majority of all nursing studies can be classified as quantitative.

Quantitative research uses statistical methodology at every stage in the research process. At the inception of a research project, when the research questions are formulated, thought must be given to how the research variables are to be quantified, defined, measured, and analyzed. Study subjects are often selected for a research project through the statistical method of random sampling, which promotes an unbiased representation of the target population among the sample from whom generalizations will be made. Statistical methods are used to summarize study data, to determine sampling error, and in studies in which hypotheses are tested, to analyze whether results obtained exceed those that could be attributed to sampling error (chance) alone."

Quantitative Research Design can be Non-Experimental (Descriptive or Correlational) or Experimental (including Quasi-Experimental).

" Observational designs are nonexperimental, quantitative designs. In contrast to experimental designs in which the investigator manipulates the independent variable and observes its effect, the investigator conducting observational research observes both the independent and dependent variables. In observational studies, variation in the independent variable may be due to genetic endowment, self-selection, or occupational or environmental exposures."

" Correlational research examines the relationships between variables, but unlike experimental or quasi-experimental studies, correlational studies lack active manipulation of the independent variable(s). Therefore, postulation of relationships among study variables in causal terms is risky. Discussion of associations in correlational studies, however, sometimes gives an indication of how likely it is that a cause-and-effect relationship might exist."

More Information from Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research

" Quasi-experimental research is similar to experimental research in that there is manipulation of an independent variable. It differs from experimental research because there is no control group, no random selection, no random assignment, and/or no active manipulation. Quasi-experimental research is a useful way to test causality in settings when it is impossible or unethical to randomly assign subjects to treatment and control groups or to withhold treatment from some subjects."

Experimental research "involves manipulation of the principal independent variable, i.e., the actual administration of treatments or interventions that comprise the categories of the independent variable. An investigation is made of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

A true experiment is characterized by random assignment of individual subjects to the treatment conditions and a high degree of control over unwanted influence of extraneous variables and other factors that could bias the results of the study."

"True experiments have the potential to provide strong evidence about the hypothesized causal relationship between independent and dependent variables. Experiments are characterized by manipulation, control, and randomization. The quality of experiments depends on the validity of their design."

" Mixed methods research is a term associated with research that uses a combination of methods that are usually identified with qualitative research and methods that are usually identified with quantitative research. It should not be confused with the terms mixed models or mixed effects that are used in other contexts such as the analysis of variance.

It is important to understand that the use of a mixed methods approach does not make research better or more valid than the use of either a qualitative or a quantitative approach."

"In nursing research, triangulation refers to the use of multiple sources to validate findings by the nursing researcher. It involves the combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods within a single study."

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Qualitative Methods in Health Care Research

Vishnu renjith.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland - Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), Al Sayh Muharraq Governorate, Bahrain

Renjulal Yesodharan

1 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Judith A. Noronha

2 Department of OBG Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Elissa Ladd

3 School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, USA

Anice George

4 Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Healthcare research is a systematic inquiry intended to generate robust evidence about important issues in the fields of medicine and healthcare. Qualitative research has ample possibilities within the arena of healthcare research. This article aims to inform healthcare professionals regarding qualitative research, its significance, and applicability in the field of healthcare. A wide variety of phenomena that cannot be explained using the quantitative approach can be explored and conveyed using a qualitative method. The major types of qualitative research designs are narrative research, phenomenological research, grounded theory research, ethnographic research, historical research, and case study research. The greatest strength of the qualitative research approach lies in the richness and depth of the healthcare exploration and description it makes. In health research, these methods are considered as the most humanistic and person-centered way of discovering and uncovering thoughts and actions of human beings.

Introduction

Healthcare research is a systematic inquiry intended to generate trustworthy evidence about issues in the field of medicine and healthcare. The three principal approaches to health research are the quantitative, the qualitative, and the mixed methods approach. The quantitative research method uses data, which are measures of values and counts and are often described using statistical methods which in turn aids the researcher to draw inferences. Qualitative research incorporates the recording, interpreting, and analyzing of non-numeric data with an attempt to uncover the deeper meanings of human experiences and behaviors. Mixed methods research, the third methodological approach, involves collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative information with an objective to solve different but related questions, or at times the same questions.[ 1 , 2 ]

In healthcare, qualitative research is widely used to understand patterns of health behaviors, describe lived experiences, develop behavioral theories, explore healthcare needs, and design interventions.[ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Because of its ample applications in healthcare, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of health research studies undertaken using qualitative methodology.[ 4 , 5 ] This article discusses qualitative research methods, their significance, and applicability in the arena of healthcare.

Qualitative Research

Diverse academic and non-academic disciplines utilize qualitative research as a method of inquiry to understand human behavior and experiences.[ 6 , 7 ] According to Munhall, “Qualitative research involves broadly stated questions about human experiences and realities, studied through sustained contact with the individual in their natural environments and producing rich, descriptive data that will help us to understand those individual's experiences.”[ 8 ]

Significance of Qualitative Research

The qualitative method of inquiry examines the 'how' and 'why' of decision making, rather than the 'when,' 'what,' and 'where.'[ 7 ] Unlike quantitative methods, the objective of qualitative inquiry is to explore, narrate, and explain the phenomena and make sense of the complex reality. Health interventions, explanatory health models, and medical-social theories could be developed as an outcome of qualitative research.[ 9 ] Understanding the richness and complexity of human behavior is the crux of qualitative research.

Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research

The quantitative and qualitative forms of inquiry vary based on their underlying objectives. They are in no way opposed to each other; instead, these two methods are like two sides of a coin. The critical differences between quantitative and qualitative research are summarized in Table 1 .[ 1 , 10 , 11 ]

Differences between quantitative and qualitative research

Qualitative Research Questions and Purpose Statements

Qualitative questions are exploratory and are open-ended. A well-formulated study question forms the basis for developing a protocol, guides the selection of design, and data collection methods. Qualitative research questions generally involve two parts, a central question and related subquestions. The central question is directed towards the primary phenomenon under study, whereas the subquestions explore the subareas of focus. It is advised not to have more than five to seven subquestions. A commonly used framework for designing a qualitative research question is the 'PCO framework' wherein, P stands for the population under study, C stands for the context of exploration, and O stands for the outcome/s of interest.[ 12 ] The PCO framework guides researchers in crafting a focused study question.

Example: In the question, “What are the experiences of mothers on parenting children with Thalassemia?”, the population is “mothers of children with Thalassemia,” the context is “parenting children with Thalassemia,” and the outcome of interest is “experiences.”

The purpose statement specifies the broad focus of the study, identifies the approach, and provides direction for the overall goal of the study. The major components of a purpose statement include the central phenomenon under investigation, the study design and the population of interest. Qualitative research does not require a-priori hypothesis.[ 13 , 14 , 15 ]

Example: Borimnejad et al . undertook a qualitative research on the lived experiences of women suffering from vitiligo. The purpose of this study was, “to explore lived experiences of women suffering from vitiligo using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.” [ 16 ]

Review of the Literature

In quantitative research, the researchers do an extensive review of scientific literature prior to the commencement of the study. However, in qualitative research, only a minimal literature search is conducted at the beginning of the study. This is to ensure that the researcher is not influenced by the existing understanding of the phenomenon under the study. The minimal literature review will help the researchers to avoid the conceptual pollution of the phenomenon being studied. Nonetheless, an extensive review of the literature is conducted after data collection and analysis.[ 15 ]

Reflexivity

Reflexivity refers to critical self-appraisal about one's own biases, values, preferences, and preconceptions about the phenomenon under investigation. Maintaining a reflexive diary/journal is a widely recognized way to foster reflexivity. According to Creswell, “Reflexivity increases the credibility of the study by enhancing more neutral interpretations.”[ 7 ]

Types of Qualitative Research Designs

The qualitative research approach encompasses a wide array of research designs. The words such as types, traditions, designs, strategies of inquiry, varieties, and methods are used interchangeably. The major types of qualitative research designs are narrative research, phenomenological research, grounded theory research, ethnographic research, historical research, and case study research.[ 1 , 7 , 10 ]

Narrative research

Narrative research focuses on exploring the life of an individual and is ideally suited to tell the stories of individual experiences.[ 17 ] The purpose of narrative research is to utilize 'story telling' as a method in communicating an individual's experience to a larger audience.[ 18 ] The roots of narrative inquiry extend to humanities including anthropology, literature, psychology, education, history, and sociology. Narrative research encompasses the study of individual experiences and learning the significance of those experiences. The data collection procedures include mainly interviews, field notes, letters, photographs, diaries, and documents collected from one or more individuals. Data analysis involves the analysis of the stories or experiences through “re-storying of stories” and developing themes usually in chronological order of events. Rolls and Payne argued that narrative research is a valuable approach in health care research, to gain deeper insight into patient's experiences.[ 19 ]

Example: Karlsson et al . undertook a narrative inquiry to “explore how people with Alzheimer's disease present their life story.” Data were collected from nine participants. They were asked to describe about their life experiences from childhood to adulthood, then to current life and their views about the future life. [ 20 ]

Phenomenological research

Phenomenology is a philosophical tradition developed by German philosopher Edmond Husserl. His student Martin Heidegger did further developments in this methodology. It defines the 'essence' of individual's experiences regarding a certain phenomenon.[ 1 ] The methodology has its origin from philosophy, psychology, and education. The purpose of qualitative research is to understand the people's everyday life experiences and reduce it into the central meaning or the 'essence of the experience'.[ 21 , 22 ] The unit of analysis of phenomenology is the individuals who have had similar experiences of the phenomenon. Interviews with individuals are mainly considered for the data collection, though, documents and observations are also useful. Data analysis includes identification of significant meaning elements, textural description (what was experienced), structural description (how was it experienced), and description of 'essence' of experience.[ 1 , 7 , 21 ] The phenomenological approach is further divided into descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. Descriptive phenomenology focuses on the understanding of the essence of experiences and is best suited in situations that need to describe the lived phenomenon. Hermeneutic phenomenology or Interpretive phenomenology moves beyond the description to uncover the meanings that are not explicitly evident. The researcher tries to interpret the phenomenon, based on their judgment rather than just describing it.[ 7 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]

Example: A phenomenological study conducted by Cornelio et al . aimed at describing the lived experiences of mothers in parenting children with leukemia. Data from ten mothers were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Husserl's method of phenomenology. Themes such as “pivotal moment in life”, “the experience of being with a seriously ill child”, “having to keep distance with the relatives”, “overcoming the financial and social commitments”, “responding to challenges”, “experience of faith as being key to survival”, “health concerns of the present and future”, and “optimism” were derived. The researchers reported the essence of the study as “chronic illness such as leukemia in children results in a negative impact on the child and on the mother.” [ 25 ]

Grounded Theory Research

Grounded theory has its base in sociology and propagated by two sociologists, Barney Glaser, and Anselm Strauss.[ 26 ] The primary purpose of grounded theory is to discover or generate theory in the context of the social process being studied. The major difference between grounded theory and other approaches lies in its emphasis on theory generation and development. The name grounded theory comes from its ability to induce a theory grounded in the reality of study participants.[ 7 , 27 ] Data collection in grounded theory research involves recording interviews from many individuals until data saturation. Constant comparative analysis, theoretical sampling, theoretical coding, and theoretical saturation are unique features of grounded theory research.[ 26 , 27 , 28 ] Data analysis includes analyzing data through 'open coding,' 'axial coding,' and 'selective coding.'[ 1 , 7 ] Open coding is the first level of abstraction, and it refers to the creation of a broad initial range of categories, axial coding is the procedure of understanding connections between the open codes, whereas selective coding relates to the process of connecting the axial codes to formulate a theory.[ 1 , 7 ] Results of the grounded theory analysis are supplemented with a visual representation of major constructs usually in the form of flow charts or framework diagrams. Quotations from the participants are used in a supportive capacity to substantiate the findings. Strauss and Corbin highlights that “the value of the grounded theory lies not only in its ability to generate a theory but also to ground that theory in the data.”[ 27 ]

Example: Williams et al . conducted a grounded theory research to explore the nature of relationship between the sense of self and the eating disorders. Data were collected form 11 women with a lifetime history of Anorexia Nervosa and were analyzed using the grounded theory methodology. Analysis led to the development of a theoretical framework on the nature of the relationship between the self and Anorexia Nervosa. [ 29 ]

Ethnographic research

Ethnography has its base in anthropology, where the anthropologists used it for understanding the culture-specific knowledge and behaviors. In health sciences research, ethnography focuses on narrating and interpreting the health behaviors of a culture-sharing group. 'Culture-sharing group' in an ethnography represents any 'group of people who share common meanings, customs or experiences.' In health research, it could be a group of physicians working in rural care, a group of medical students, or it could be a group of patients who receive home-based rehabilitation. To understand the cultural patterns, researchers primarily observe the individuals or group of individuals for a prolonged period of time.[ 1 , 7 , 30 ] The scope of ethnography can be broad or narrow depending on the aim. The study of more general cultural groups is termed as macro-ethnography, whereas micro-ethnography focuses on more narrowly defined cultures. Ethnography is usually conducted in a single setting. Ethnographers collect data using a variety of methods such as observation, interviews, audio-video records, and document reviews. A written report includes a detailed description of the culture sharing group with emic and etic perspectives. When the researcher reports the views of the participants it is called emic perspectives and when the researcher reports his or her views about the culture, the term is called etic.[ 7 ]

Example: The aim of the ethnographic study by LeBaron et al . was to explore the barriers to opioid availability and cancer pain management in India. The researchers collected data from fifty-nine participants using in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document review. The researchers identified significant barriers by open coding and thematic analysis of the formal interview. [ 31 ]

Historical research

Historical research is the “systematic collection, critical evaluation, and interpretation of historical evidence”.[ 1 ] The purpose of historical research is to gain insights from the past and involves interpreting past events in the light of the present. The data for historical research are usually collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary source mainly includes diaries, first hand information, and writings. The secondary sources are textbooks, newspapers, second or third-hand accounts of historical events and medical/legal documents. The data gathered from these various sources are synthesized and reported as biographical narratives or developmental perspectives in chronological order. The ideas are interpreted in terms of the historical context and significance. The written report describes 'what happened', 'how it happened', 'why it happened', and its significance and implications to current clinical practice.[ 1 , 10 ]

Example: Lubold (2019) analyzed the breastfeeding trends in three countries (Sweden, Ireland, and the United States) using a historical qualitative method. Through analysis of historical data, the researcher found that strong family policies, adherence to international recommendations and adoption of baby-friendly hospital initiative could greatly enhance the breastfeeding rates. [ 32 ]

Case study research

Case study research focuses on the description and in-depth analysis of the case(s) or issues illustrated by the case(s). The design has its origin from psychology, law, and medicine. Case studies are best suited for the understanding of case(s), thus reducing the unit of analysis into studying an event, a program, an activity or an illness. Observations, one to one interviews, artifacts, and documents are used for collecting the data, and the analysis is done through the description of the case. From this, themes and cross-case themes are derived. A written case study report includes a detailed description of one or more cases.[ 7 , 10 ]

Example: Perceptions of poststroke sexuality in a woman of childbearing age was explored using a qualitative case study approach by Beal and Millenbrunch. Semi structured interview was conducted with a 36- year mother of two children with a history of Acute ischemic stroke. The data were analyzed using an inductive approach. The authors concluded that “stroke during childbearing years may affect a woman's perception of herself as a sexual being and her ability to carry out gender roles”. [ 33 ]

Sampling in Qualitative Research

Qualitative researchers widely use non-probability sampling techniques such as purposive sampling, convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, homogeneous sampling, maximum variation sampling, extreme (deviant) case sampling, typical case sampling, and intensity sampling. The selection of a sampling technique depends on the nature and needs of the study.[ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] The four widely used sampling techniques are convenience sampling, purposive sampling, snowball sampling, and intensity sampling.

Convenience sampling

It is otherwise called accidental sampling, where the researchers collect data from the subjects who are selected based on accessibility, geographical proximity, ease, speed, and or low cost.[ 34 ] Convenience sampling offers a significant benefit of convenience but often accompanies the issues of sample representation.

Purposive sampling

Purposive or purposeful sampling is a widely used sampling technique.[ 35 ] It involves identifying a population based on already established sampling criteria and then selecting subjects who fulfill that criteria to increase the credibility. However, choosing information-rich cases is the key to determine the power and logic of purposive sampling in a qualitative study.[ 1 ]

Snowball sampling

The method is also known as 'chain referral sampling' or 'network sampling.' The sampling starts by having a few initial participants, and the researcher relies on these early participants to identify additional study participants. It is best adopted when the researcher wishes to study the stigmatized group, or in cases, where findings of participants are likely to be difficult by ordinary means. Respondent ridden sampling is an improvised version of snowball sampling used to find out the participant from a hard-to-find or hard-to-study population.[ 37 , 38 ]

Intensity sampling

The process of identifying information-rich cases that manifest the phenomenon of interest is referred to as intensity sampling. It requires prior information, and considerable judgment about the phenomenon of interest and the researcher should do some preliminary investigations to determine the nature of the variation. Intensity sampling will be done once the researcher identifies the variation across the cases (extreme, average and intense) and picks the intense cases from them.[ 40 ]

Deciding the Sample Size

A-priori sample size calculation is not undertaken in the case of qualitative research. Researchers collect the data from as many participants as possible until they reach the point of data saturation. Data saturation or the point of redundancy is the stage where the researcher no longer sees or hears any new information. Data saturation gives the idea that the researcher has captured all possible information about the phenomenon of interest. Since no further information is being uncovered as redundancy is achieved, at this point the data collection can be stopped. The objective here is to get an overall picture of the chronicle of the phenomenon under the study rather than generalization.[ 1 , 7 , 41 ]

Data Collection in Qualitative Research

The various strategies used for data collection in qualitative research includes in-depth interviews (individual or group), focus group discussions (FGDs), participant observation, narrative life history, document analysis, audio materials, videos or video footage, text analysis, and simple observation. Among all these, the three popular methods are the FGDs, one to one in-depth interviews and the participant observation.

FGDs are useful in eliciting data from a group of individuals. They are normally built around a specific topic and are considered as the best approach to gather data on an entire range of responses to a topic.[ 42 Group size in an FGD ranges from 6 to 12. Depending upon the nature of participants, FGDs could be homogeneous or heterogeneous.[ 1 , 14 ] One to one in-depth interviews are best suited to obtain individuals' life histories, lived experiences, perceptions, and views, particularly while exporting topics of sensitive nature. In-depth interviews can be structured, unstructured, or semi-structured. However, semi-structured interviews are widely used in qualitative research. Participant observations are suitable for gathering data regarding naturally occurring behaviors.[ 1 ]

Data Analysis in Qualitative Research

Various strategies are employed by researchers to analyze data in qualitative research. Data analytic strategies differ according to the type of inquiry. A general content analysis approach is described herewith. Data analysis begins by transcription of the interview data. The researcher carefully reads data and gets a sense of the whole. Once the researcher is familiarized with the data, the researcher strives to identify small meaning units called the 'codes.' The codes are then grouped based on their shared concepts to form the primary categories. Based on the relationship between the primary categories, they are then clustered into secondary categories. The next step involves the identification of themes and interpretation to make meaning out of data. In the results section of the manuscript, the researcher describes the key findings/themes that emerged. The themes can be supported by participants' quotes. The analytical framework used should be explained in sufficient detail, and the analytic framework must be well referenced. The study findings are usually represented in a schematic form for better conceptualization.[ 1 , 7 ] Even though the overall analytical process remains the same across different qualitative designs, each design such as phenomenology, ethnography, and grounded theory has design specific analytical procedures, the details of which are out of the scope of this article.

Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

Until recently, qualitative analysis was done either manually or with the help of a spreadsheet application. Currently, there are various software programs available which aid researchers to manage qualitative data. CAQDAS is basically data management tools and cannot analyze the qualitative data as it lacks the ability to think, reflect, and conceptualize. Nonetheless, CAQDAS helps researchers to manage, shape, and make sense of unstructured information. Open Code, MAXQDA, NVivo, Atlas.ti, and Hyper Research are some of the widely used qualitative data analysis software.[ 14 , 43 ]

Reporting Guidelines

Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) is the widely used reporting guideline for qualitative research. This 32-item checklist assists researchers in reporting all the major aspects related to the study. The three major domains of COREQ are the 'research team and reflexivity', 'study design', and 'analysis and findings'.[ 44 , 45 ]

Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Research

Various scales are available to critical appraisal of qualitative research. The widely used one is the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Qualitative Checklist developed by CASP network, UK. This 10-item checklist evaluates the quality of the study under areas such as aims, methodology, research design, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and findings.[ 46 ]

Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research

A qualitative study must be undertaken by grounding it in the principles of bioethics such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Protecting the participants is of utmost importance, and the greatest care has to be taken while collecting data from a vulnerable research population. The researcher must respect individuals, families, and communities and must make sure that the participants are not identifiable by their quotations that the researchers include when publishing the data. Consent for audio/video recordings must be obtained. Approval to be in FGDs must be obtained from the participants. Researchers must ensure the confidentiality and anonymity of the transcripts/audio-video records/photographs/other data collected as a part of the study. The researchers must confirm their role as advocates and proceed in the best interest of all participants.[ 42 , 47 , 48 ]

Rigor in Qualitative Research

The demonstration of rigor or quality in the conduct of the study is essential for every research method. However, the criteria used to evaluate the rigor of quantitative studies are not be appropriate for qualitative methods. Lincoln and Guba (1985) first outlined the criteria for evaluating the qualitative research often referred to as “standards of trustworthiness of qualitative research”.[ 49 ] The four components of the criteria are credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Credibility refers to confidence in the 'truth value' of the data and its interpretation. It is used to establish that the findings are true, credible and believable. Credibility is similar to the internal validity in quantitative research.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] The second criterion to establish the trustworthiness of the qualitative research is transferability, Transferability refers to the degree to which the qualitative results are applicability to other settings, population or contexts. This is analogous to the external validity in quantitative research.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Lincoln and Guba recommend authors provide enough details so that the users will be able to evaluate the applicability of data in other contexts.[ 49 ] The criterion of dependability refers to the assumption of repeatability or replicability of the study findings and is similar to that of reliability in quantitative research. The dependability question is 'Whether the study findings be repeated of the study is replicated with the same (similar) cohort of participants, data coders, and context?'[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Confirmability, the fourth criteria is analogous to the objectivity of the study and refers the degree to which the study findings could be confirmed or corroborated by others. To ensure confirmability the data should directly reflect the participants' experiences and not the bias, motivations, or imaginations of the inquirer.[ 1 , 50 , 51 ] Qualitative researchers should ensure that the study is conducted with enough rigor and should report the measures undertaken to enhance the trustworthiness of the study.

Conclusions

Qualitative research studies are being widely acknowledged and recognized in health care practice. This overview illustrates various qualitative methods and shows how these methods can be used to generate evidence that informs clinical practice. Qualitative research helps to understand the patterns of health behaviors, describe illness experiences, design health interventions, and develop healthcare theories. The ultimate strength of the qualitative research approach lies in the richness of the data and the descriptions and depth of exploration it makes. Hence, qualitative methods are considered as the most humanistic and person-centered way of discovering and uncovering thoughts and actions of human beings.

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