Nursing, at its core, requires various educational degrees and rigorous training, which prepares professionals for a career in effective caregiving. In the current industrial climate, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, online programs serve as a key method for professionals to get their educational degrees.
However, when a nurse’s responsibilities grow into advanced nursing practice, research becomes as critical to the field as primary caregiving. This is because a significant aspect of caregiving requires professionals to question traditional procedures and discover ways they can be improved. In truth, research in nursing is significantly driven by nursing concerns.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) pits nursing research as a procedure to recognize a body of knowledge that helps improve nursing practices. Today’s nurses are important in different aspects of the medical sector, from delivering healthcare to contributing to medical policies and reforms. In keeping with this, research findings can help refine the industry’s operations.
Why does research matter in nursing
The concept of research is an integral process in the nursing profession owing to the nature of a nurse’s responsibilities. Research has always been a part of nursing, even before the field became specialized. Today, the role of research is much more prevalent and evident in the following aspects of nursing.
Information literacy
Nursing professionals can benefit from understanding the importance of research in nursing, how nursing research is conducted and how it directly impacts various facets of the healthcare sector. Typically, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs introduce nurses to research in their everyday responsibilities. However, online RN-MSN program courses can offer a more comprehensive understanding of why research is important for nurses.
Information literacy enables nurses to access, evaluate and employ a body of knowledge for personal decision-making and collaboration with others to address issues. This aspect has been included in various advanced nursing programs, as it helps nurses search for information more effectively, evaluate information based on industrial standards, and develop logical solutions based on the information.
Scientific inquiry
According to the AACN, there are three classifications of nursing research: nursing education research, clinical research, and health systems and outcome research. These classifications cover healthcare for patients across their lives, how students learn the nursing profession, and the quantity, quality, and cost of healthcare. All in all, the scientific inquiry aspect of nursing research focuses on improving extensive healthcare delivery.
Evidence-based practice
This aspect of nursing requires research to foster effective clinical decisions and care. As such, nurses must base their work on the results of peer-reviewed, published studies accepted by the entire profession. These studies serve as a guide for professionals and standardize some best practices in the field.
Yet not all research is relevant to a patient; hence, nurses are needed to carefully evaluate them and identify biases, weaknesses, and inconsistencies, among other issues. When done correctly, evidence-based practice develops professionals to become more proficient in evaluations and decision-making.
There are numerous benefits of research to the nursing field. According to the National Institute of Nursing Research, the knowledge gained from research is critical for improving clinical practice, including preventing diseases, managing symptoms, and enhancing end-of-life care. As such, every nurse should be able to understand, evaluate and employ research in their careers.
