Research in nursing
The overall goal of research in nursing eclipses the goal of nursing as a discipline; to save lives. This goal is achieved through many more defined goals such as to increase efficiency in preventing disease and disabilities, to alleviate pain and suffering among patients, enhance clinical care, to promote evidence-based clinical care, improve credibility and accountability in the nursing discipline, to develop new treatment methodology, to enable nurses to respond to changes in healthcare, resolve misunderstanding and complexities in nursing care. Empirically, the goals of nursing include developing methods, products, tools, procedures, and processes for nursing practice and research. To discover new facts/knowledge in nursing, and to provide a better understanding of the relationship between phenomena and facts in nursing. “The goals and importance of research in nursing can be understood through the perception of nursing as a systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about issues of importance to nurses, including nursing practice, nursing education, and nursing administration” (Tingen et al. 2009). This means that research in nursing is an instrument of developing every aspect of the nursing profession.
Curiosity is the core driver of innovation and discovery. Research in nursing significantly borders on discovery as one of its core aims; methods, products, tools, procedures, and processes for nursing practice and research. As such, the curiosity of a researcher can trigger the research process by Marely examining established facts for credibility, exploring solutions to various necessities, questioning the effectiveness of various practices or processes and attempting to satisfy intrinsic desires for new knowledge. “curiosity is a basic element of cognition that motivates learning, influences decision making and promotes healthy growth and development” (Kidd, & Hayden, 2015). This means that curiosity is fundamental to research as a learning process and activity. Hence, a researcher’s curiosity is important in triggering research activity.
Evidence-based practice in the context of research and nursing refers to the use of empirically established research information in the determination of decisions in nursing or research practices. “Evidence-based practice in nursing encompasses integration of patient preferences, research evidence and nursing expertise into nursing practices” (Stevens, 20113). Essentially, the evidence-based practice emphasizes that nurses must conduct their work in a manner that is supported by empirical research. That there must be evidence before any nursing decisions or actions are taken to ensure freedom from bias and maximum suitability of nursing practices to the welfare of patients and the nursing discipline in general. Evidence-based practice involves adherence to set standards and measurements. The evidence-based practice promotes individualization of nursing care, exploitation of scientific endeavors enhances performance among nurses, and improves standards of safety and professionalism.
The possible topics that I would choose for my research include;
- The effectiveness of social distancing protocols in preventing Covid-19.
- Evaluating the best nursing practices for providing health care to the elderly.
- Evaluation of stress coping mechanisms and strategies available for nurses.
The rationale behind the selection of these topics is that in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic globally, there have been mixed reactions towards the adoption of social distancing protocols. At a global perspective president, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and President Donald Trump of the US have gone to record criticizing the effectiveness of social distancing protocols, which are now a major public health concern globally.
Healthcare provision to the nursing has been marred by major controversy over issues of nursing negligence, and ineffective practices, as such it would be prudent to evaluate and empirically establish the best nursing practices for the elderly.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many nurses and healthcare practitioners have been traumatized by extreme working conditions, and there is a growing concern over their mental health.
References
Tingen, M. S., Burnett, A. H., Murchison, R. B., & Zhu, H. (2009). The importance of nursing research. Journal of Nursing Education, 48(3), 167-170.
Kidd, C., & Hayden, B. Y. (2015). The psychology and neuroscience of curiosity. Neuron, 88(3), 449-460.
Stevens, K. (2013). The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2).