Nursing research plays a crucial role in the advancement of the nursing profession. It enables ongoing learning and improvement of patient care practices, resulting in better patient outcomes and promoting evidence-based practices. Research allows nurses to critically evaluate current practices, identify areas for improvement, and explore new and innovative approaches to patient care. It ensures that patients receive the best possible care, and it also helps advance the nursing profession as a whole.
My research is focused on enhancing patient safety and improving the level of service provided to patients. To stay up-to-date, I regularly read well-respected journals such as the “Nursing Science Journal,” “American Nursing Journal,” and “Nursing Surgery Journal.” Through my research, I strive to assess various proposed practices and determine how I can enhance my own practice to serve the needs of my patients better.
There is a medium that seems to be very promising regarding research sharing. Sharing my research findings through online platforms such as social media would allow me to reach a wider audience, including nurses needing access to peer-reviewed journals or attending professional conferences (University of Kent, 2023). The modern era of technology allows for quicker reach as most people have access to the web. It increases the chances of getting noticed and finding relevant communities.
There are many popular areas to conduct research; however, the two seem to be more motivating:
- Patient outcomes and quality of care: This area of research focuses on evaluating and improving patient outcomes, such as reducing readmissions, improving patient satisfaction, and reducing adverse events (Recio-Saucedo et al., 2018).
- Evidence-based practices: This area of research seeks to identify the most effective and efficient nursing practices and promote their adoption in clinical settings. The patient outcome is the primary goal, as well as enhancing the quality of care nurses provide (Horntvedt et al., 2018).
In conclusion, research is essential for nurses to stay informed and continuously improve their practice. Reading nursing journals and engaging in discussions with other healthcare professionals are effective ways to stay current with the latest research findings and their implications for patient care. If a nurse conducts a research study, they should plan to share their results through social networking sites and with other healthcare professionals to contribute to advancing the nursing profession.
References
Horntvedt, M. E. T., Nordsteien, A., Fermann, T., & Severinsson, E. (2018). Strategies for teaching evidence-based practice in nursing education: A thematic literature review. BMC Medical Education, 18(1). Web.
Recio-Saucedo, A., Dall’Ora, C., Maruotti, A., Ball, J., Briggs, J., Meredith, P., Redfern, O. C., Kovacs, C., Prytherch, D., Smith, G. A., & Griffiths, P. (2018). What impact does nursing care left undone have on patient outcomes? Review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(11–12), 2248–2259. Web.
University of Kent. (2023). Routes for sharing your research – help – university of kent. Web.