Nursing Research: What It Is and Why It Matters
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Aug 21, 2024
Nursing Research: What It Is and Why It Matters
When people think about medical research, they often think about cutting-edge surgical procedures and revolutionary new medications. As important as those advancements are, another type of research is just as vital: nursing research.
This type of research informs and improves nursing practice. In many cases, it’s focused on improving patient care. Experienced nurses who have advanced nursing degrees and training in research design typically conduct this research.
Nurse research can explore any number of topics, from symptomology to patient diet. However, no matter the focus of a research project, nurse research can improve health care in an impressive number of ways. As experts in their field, nurse researchers can pursue a wide range of unique career advancement opportunities .
Why Nursing Research Matters: Examples of Research in Action
Research drives innovation in every industry. Given that nurses are on the front line of the health care industry, the research they do can be particularly impactful for patient outcomes.
It Can Improve Patients’ Quality of Life
Patients diagnosed with life-threatening chronic diseases often undergo intense treatments with sometimes debilitating side effects. Nursing research is vital to helping such patients maintain a high quality of life.
For example, a 2018 study led by a nurse scientist explored why cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience severe nausea. While the physical toll of chemotherapy contributes to nausea, the study found that patients who have factors such as children to take care of, high psychological stress, and trouble performing day-to-day tasks are often much more likely to experience nausea.
By identifying the root causes of nausea and which patients are more likely to experience it, this research allows health care professionals to develop evidence-based care practices . This can include prescribing anti-nausea medications and connecting patients to mental health professionals.
It’s Central to Making Health Care More Equitabl
A Gallup survey reports that about 38% of Americans put off seeking medical treatment due to costs. Unfortunately, cost is only one factor that prevents people from seeking treatment. Many Americans don’t live close to medical providers that can meet their needs, aren’t educated about health, or encounter discrimination.
As complex as this issue is, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) asserts that the country’s nurse researchers can lead the charge in tackling it. In its strategic plan for 2022 to 2026, the institute highlights the following:
- Nursing has long been one of the most trusted professions in the country.
- Nurses often interact with patients, patients’ families, and communities more frequently than other health care professionals.
- The care that nurses provide must often take environmental and social factors into account.
These traits put nurses in the position to not only research health inequity but also put their research to work in their organizations. To help make that happen, NINR often funds nurse-led research projects focused on equity and social determinants of health. With that kind of backing, the field may become more transformative than ever.
It Can Strengthen the Health Care Workforce
While nursing research can be used to improve patient care, it can also be leveraged to solve issues health care professionals face daily. Research about the state of the health care workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect illustration.
In 2022, a team of nurse researchers published a report called Nursing Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for Our Profession After COVID-19 in the International Journal of Nursing Practice. In it, the authors provided concrete statistics about the following:
- Burnout
- Mental and physical health issues many nurses encountered
- Effects of increased workloads and decreased nurse-to-patient ratios
- How many nurses were planning to leave the profession altogether
As nurses themselves, the authors also offer actionable, evidence-based solutions to these issues, such as streamlining patient documentation systems and implementing employee wellness programs.
However, this type of research isn’t just important to solving workforce issues stemming from specific emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. By publishing quantifiable data about the challenges they face, nurse researchers empower other nurses and professional nursing organizations to advocate for themselves. This can help employers enact effective policies, support their nursing staff, and draw more talented people into the profession.
Career Opportunities in Nursing Research
Nurse researchers can work in any number of administrative, direct care, and academic roles. However, because nurse research often requires clinical care and data analysis skills, jobs in this field typically require an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
While many more nurse research career opportunities exist, here are four career paths nurses with research experience and advanced degrees can explore.
Nurse Researcher
Nurse researchers identify issues related to nursing practice, collect data about them, and conduct research projects designed to inform practice and policy. While they often work in academic medical centers and universities, they can work for any type of health care provider as well as health care advocacy agencies.
In addition to conducting research, these professionals typically provide direct patient care. Many also write papers for peer-reviewed journals and make presentations about their work at conferences.
Clinical Research Nurse
Despite having a similar title to nurse researchers, clinical research nurses have slightly different responsibilities. These professionals are usually in charge of providing care to patients participating in medical research projects, including clinical trials and nursing research initiatives. They also typically collect data about patient progress, coordinate care between different team members, and contribute to academic papers.
Occupational Health Nurse
Also referred to as environmental health nurses, occupational health nurses serve specific communities, such as professionals in a particular industry or people who live in a particular area. They often educate their communities about relevant health risks, advocate for stronger health and safety regulations, and run wellness programs.
To carry out their duties, occupational and environmental health nurses must typically research health trends about the people they serve, including living and working conditions that put them at risk for illness or injury. They can work for private companies and government agencies.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators prepare new nurses to enter the workforce or train experienced nurses in more advanced techniques. This can include teaching classes and providing on-the-job training. They often work for colleges, universities, and large health care providers.
While their duties don’t always include research, nurse educators must keep up with the health care industry’s needs and new patient care practices. This is so they can provide relevant education themselves and help their organizations design up-to-date curricula.
Make Nursing Research a Part of Your Journey
Conducting and implementing nurse research is a collaborative effort. It takes a team of informed leaders, skilled analysts, and creative educators to create effective, evidence-based policies. Those interested in pursuing nurse research should consider The University of Tulsa’s online MSN program , which can prepare you to fill any one of those roles and more.
All of TU’s MSN students take classes on research and evidence-based practices. However, the program’s specialty tracks allow students to take their studies in multiple research-oriented directions. For instance, if you’re interested in collecting and interpreting clinical data, you can choose the Informatics and Analysis track. If you have a passion for public health policy, the Public Health and Global Vision track includes classes on population health and epidemiology.
Delivered in a flexible online format, this program can be a great option for working nurses and nontraditional students alike. To find out more, read about TU’s admission policies and request more information today.
Recommended Readings
A Nurse Educator’s Role in the Future of Nursing
How Global Health Nursing Supports Population Health
Sources:
Gallup, “Record High in U.S. Put Off Medical Care Due to Cost in 2022”
National Institute of Nursing Research, Scientific Strategy: NINR’s Research Framework
