12 Nurse Research Articles You Need to Read
By Brook Jillings, Contributor
Nursing is a fast-paced industry with a strong community of medical professionals who dedicate themselves to nurse research in an effort to keep care techniques updated with the latest innovations and standards.
To maximize efforts in patient care, RNs should stay informed on nurse research topics applicable to their chosen specialty and those that cover universal nursing concepts. To get you started on this educational journey, here are 12 articles written by nurse researchers every RN should read.
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12 Nurse Research Articles Every RN Should Read
1. Inpatient fall prevention from the patient's perspective: A qualitative study (Bethany Radecki MSN, RN, ACNS-BC; Staci Reynolds PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN; Areeba Kara MD, MS, FACP)
This nurse research article discusses the results of interviews with 12 patients concerning their perspectives on personal fall risks. The nurse researchers point out inconsistencies between traditional professional assumptions and patient accounts regarding fall prevention procedures. Nurses can use this nursing research to better understand the effectiveness of current fall prevention standards.
2. An examination of the correlation between nurses' organizational trust and burnout levels (Gonul Ozgur, Pinar Tektas)
Nurse researchers Ozgur and Tektas explain the results of a study, conducted with 155 nurses, designed to identify the relationship between organizational trust and nurse burnout in the workplace. RNs who read this nurse research article can learn more about how factors in their work environment can impact their ability to perform their duties well.
3. Do patients' demographic characteristics affect their perceptions of self-care actions to find safe and decent care? (Huey-Ming Tzeng PhD, RN, FAAN; Udoka Okpalauwaekwe MBBS, MPH; Chang-Yi Yin MA; Sandra Lynn Jansen PhD, RN; Cindy Feng Phd; Anne Barker MSN, FNP-BC)
These nurse researchers explore the relationship between patient demographics and their ability and desire to find safe and decent care. The five demographics studied include gender, age, marital status, education and residence in rural or urban settings. Nurses can use this nursing research topic to better understand how demographics affect their patients regarding healthcare.
4. Healthcare providers' neurobiological response to workplace violence perpetrated by consumers: Informing directions for staff well-being (Jill Beattie PhD, MN, GradDip, MiCBT, BN, DipT, RN, RM; Kelli Innes MN, Grad Health Professional Education, RN; Debra Griffiths PhD, LLM, LLB, BA, RM, RN; Julia Morpet PhD, MN, GradDip Emergency, GradCertHealth Professional Education, BN)
Nurse researchers discuss the importance of workplace safety and self-care strategies to combat violence or violent threats from patients and their families. RNs who check out this nurse research article will have a greater understanding of workplace violence trends and how they affect on-duty nurses.
5. Patient education on generic drugs (Dianne Aschenbrenner MS, RN)
All nurses and their patients can benefit from this nursing research topic. This article focuses on teaching resources presented by the Food and Drug Administration to help nurses educate their patients about generic alternatives to brand-name medications.
6. Nursing notes are predictive of outcomes in ICU patients (Elizabeth Mechcatie MA, BSN; Karen Rosenberg)
This article shows the relationship between the number of "sentiments" included in nurse notes and 30-day mortality rates in the patients those notes reference. Nurses can learn the importance of personal attention in treatment and be better able to use their nurse notes to identify when their personal feelings may be affecting the level of care they are providing.
7. Likelihood of nursing care being missed is influenced by several work-based factors (Andres Azuero)
Nursing care is critical for positive patient outcomes, and this nurse researcher discusses the impact work environment has on missed care opportunities. Nurses can learn how to identify work factors that may be detrimental to the care they provide and take steps to correct them.
8. Extended visitation policy may lower risk for delirium in the intensive care unit (Manual Schwanda; Rita Gruber)
These nurse researchers present evidence that increased family visitation in the ICU reduces delirium rates in patients and facilitates faster recovery times. RNs can stay up to date on the latest research proving the impact family bonds have on health.
9. Professionals need to discuss more effectively the holistic needs of their patients regarding palliative care (Alison Rodriguez)
This article covers a critical nursing research topic, highlighting the importance of effective communication with patients facing end-of-life care planning. Learn the importance of discussing death and dying to patients who suffer from terminal conditions.
10. There is a lack of preventive care and treatment interventions for urinary incontinence in hospitalized adults (Mary H Palmer)
A nurse research article discussing continence care barriers and investigating the impact improved care would have. Nurses will gain workable knowledge on the need for continence care and be able to identify barriers in their own workplace.
11. Coping methods used by emergency department nurses after a workplace violence experience could influence their decision to leave the hospital (Laura Rasero; Nicola Ramacciati)
These nurse researchers discuss the impact workplace violence coping choices make on a nurse's decision to leave the medical facility. Learn different coping mechanisms for violence in the workplace and how they may affect your decision to stay.
12. Combining morphine and ibuprofen does not improve pain control compared with using either drug alone following musculoskeletal injury in children (Cornelius Botha Groenewald)
This nurse research article tackles the belief that morphine and ibuprofen combinations provide better pain relief to injured children than either used alone. Nurses can use the information to determine whether a combination is necessary and perhaps limit over-medicating their young patients.