Nurses serve in a wide array of healthcare environments where they provide direct patient care. They administer drugs and medication, run medical tests, and assemble reports, assist with surgical procedures, and much more. They work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and spend a great deal of time with the patients. Nurses who are pursuing a Master’s degree in nursing can broaden their horizons towards nursing research.
Medical research has allowed immense innovation and improvements in the healthcare system worldwide. And nursing research is an essential segment of medical innovations. Although often overlooked, nursing research allows the healthcare community to enhance patient care models. Nurses who want to leave their mark within their healthcare community can make contributions through research findings.
These medical findings serve the purpose of understanding the needs of the patients and providing optimal care. Entry-level positions and essential nursing responsibilities do not allow professionals to explore research avenues. However, nurses who are advanced degree holders can make significant breakthroughs in medical and patient care advances.
Nursing research has the potential for wide-ranging innovation, and the entire nursing community can benefit from such advances. In this article, we will take a closer look at the significance of nursing research for the healthcare community.
Ushering Dynamic Improvements
Nursing research is focused on ushering improvements and enhancing existing healthcare norms and practices. It allows a better understanding of symptoms and earlier diagnosis of chronic and acute ailments. Research empowers nurses with more significant means and skills to help their patients reduce the risk of illnesses. They can make contributions to disease prevention, delays, and slow progression of diseases.
A nurse who is a clinical research specialist can introduce efficient approaches towards enhancing patient care and clinical settings. Research can bring about improvements in all spheres of nursing specialization and environments, such as hospitals, schools, home care, and more. Nursing research can provide valuable findings to innovate nursing practices across all settings to allow the best possible care.
Developing Knowledge
The underlying purpose of nursing research is to launch a systematic inquiry into the issues that nurses encounter in patients. It allows the development of knowledge for nursing education, practices, healthcare administration, patient’s emotional health, dietary requirements, and more.
A study, published in the Journal of Nursing Education, emphasized the need for nursing research to advance nursing practices. It allows nurses to improve their response towards alarming symptoms, such as an oxygen saturation alarm.
For instance, a patient suffering from a cardiac arrest can suffer an oxygen saturation alarm due to respiratory issues. However, patients suffering from primary cardiac arrests and congenital heart disease can exhibit the same symptoms for different reasons. Nursing research provides insight into symptoms and their causes, allowing professionals to differentiate between illnesses.
Nurses can develop practices and treatment designs that allow a peaceful and nurturing healing environment for patients. They can address common ailments and severe symptoms with higher expertise and aid patients in prevention through lifestyle and dietary recommendations.
Developing Effective Interventions
Nurses work in a myriad of healthcare settings, such as operation theatres, cosmetic care, dental care, psychiatric care, cardiac, and more. Prevention and intervention are the two most significant tools of medical science. Nursing research allows the development of effective intervention and prevention strategies, with lasting effects.
For instance, research into reducing the risk of tobacco-induced illnesses, or diabetic prevention strategies has brought about noteworthy improvements. Nurses can now work directly with patients in undermining the risk factors of harmful lifestyle habits, such as smoking. They can also guide patients on lifestyle changes, dietary requirements, and emotional health in various settings.
Nursing research has provided evidence-based findings and practices that have enhanced the treatments for various illnesses. Evidence-based care and procedures allow improvements in prevention and intervention, which works towards reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
Opportunities to Grow
As a basic-care nurse, research is neither a requirement nor a possibility. However, nurses who seek to undertake advanced education and specializes can broaden their horizons. They can contribute to the community of nursing research and explore endless opportunities. Research can open a wide array of professional opportunities and possibilities.
Nurses can apply their research towards educating fellow nurses, administrative positions in healthcare facilities, and more. It provides the authority and respect within their field, and they can make contributions through new advancements. Moreover, introducing new treatment procedures, improved evidence-based care, and strategies innovates the nursing community. It benefits young students, working professionals, and inspire those who seek to advance their careers.
Modern-day nurses and students can access a plethora of professional and academic opportunities by pursuing research and evidence-based care. They can collaborate with nursing institutions, the research community, and healthcare organizations in analyzing diagnosis and detection, treatments, and patient care. The field of nursing research is rapidly growing and advancing, making significant breakthroughs in disease prevention and medical procedures. It also brings advancements and improvements in nursing education and training, allowing professionals to develop practical and marketable skills.
Conclusion
The 21st century has witnessed a striking era of evolution and innovation in the nursing arena. Earlier, nurses had limited access to research and scarce exposure in treatment innovation and advancement. However, modern-day nurses are empowered with research tools and evidence-based care. Research endeavors not only improve patient care, but they also allow nurses to advance their careers and attain fulfillment.
