- Career Development
- Interesting Nursing Research Topics To Choose
By Indeed Editorial Team
May 13, 2021
Before you finish your degree in nursing, you may have to write a nursing research paper to show your expertise in a specific area of nursing. Nursing can be a broad field, which means it might take some extra time to find an interesting research topic to choose. It's helpful to explore some different topics to brainstorm what topic is the best choice for you. In this article, we discuss what a nursing research paper is and what to consider when choosing a nursing research topic and provide a list of potential research topics for a range of specializations.
Related: How To Write a Research Paper Step-by-Step
What is a nursing research paper?
A nursing research paper is a piece of academic writing about a specific topic relevant to nursing that you may need to complete while in a nursing program. This academic paper usually shows that you can conduct research and that you have a firm understanding of special topics in the field that you want to pursue. It can also help you familiarize yourself with future specializations in nursing.
These research papers can be essential components of your degree and a large part of your grade. You may need to complete this paper in order to graduate.
What to consider when choosing a nursing research topic
Since your research paper is so important, make an effort to be mindful about the topic you choose. Try to choose a topic that is:
Interesting
Relevant
Explorative
Specific
Orginal
Meaningful
When picking a topic, consider asking your professors or mentors to see if they have any ideas about how to make it more specific or if they can give directions that could make you more successful in your research.
Nursing research topics
Here is a list of potential nursing topics by subject:
Childhood nursing
If you're interested in specializing in pediatric nursing, you may focus your research on a topic within childhood nursing. Here are some examples of research topics:
Antibiotics impact on childhood immunities
Effects of childhood exposure to environmental pollutants
Effects of secondhand smoke inhalation in early life
Ethics of pediatric care
Genetic factors of diabetes in children
Has neonatal care improved in the last 50 years?
How has childhood cancer treatment developed?
How has neonatal care changed in the last 50 years?
How health in children can affect their health later in life
How successful malnutrition treatments in children are
How to address psychological issues in children with physical illness
How to diagnose and manage respiratory illnesses in children
How to improve child care in inpatient facilities
How to mitigate infant injury during delivery
How to prevent malnutrition in children
Prenatal effects of exposure to environmental pollutants
Presentation and treatment of ADHD
Prevention strategies of childhood obesity
Resistance to antibiotics in children
Stem cell solutions for pediatric diseases
Major causes of child mortality
Causes of childhood obesity
Related: How To Become a Pediatric Nurse
Adult nursing
Adult nursing is the care of people aged 18 and older. If you are interested in pursuing nursing in this field, you may research a topic similar to the following:
Analysis of dental and oral health in a region
Analyzing the balance of healthcare and cost
Analyzing the benefits of collaborative nursing
Analyzing the causes of depression
Analyzing the difference between treatment for cardiovascular issues between the sexes
Analyzing the difference in diets
Analyzing the history of nursing and their role in healthcare
Comparing culture's effect on nursing in different countries
Effective strategies to maintain emotional health for nurses
Ethics of data collection in adult healthcare
Evolution of nursing in a specific time period
History of treatment for eating disorders and current treatment analysis
Non-chemical treatments for bipolar disorders
Strategies to reduce the contraction and spread of infectious diseases by nurses
The ethics of euthanasia
Treatment for acute coronary syndrome
Treatment history for anxiety disorders
Treatment history for migraines with examples and analysis
Treatment of restless leg syndrome
Triggers for chronic anxiety disorders
Related: Complete Guide To the Nursing Qualifications
Midwifery nursing
A midwife is a nurse who has also completed midwifery training, meaning they have the qualifications to care for women during and after their pregnancy. You may research a topic focused on midwifery if you are interested in pursuing this type of nursing. Here are some examples of topics in this field:
Analysis of caseload and quality of care for ethnic minorities
Analysis of childbirth experiences of women with autism
Analysis of common feeding problems for newborns and infants
Analysis of mother-child bonding during post-natal care
Analysis of postpartum depression treatments
Analysis of risks for advanced maternal age
Analysis of shifts in midwifery practice
Analysis of spirituality in midwifery
Analysis of teamwork in midwifery
Analyzing effects of telephone-provided care during postnatal treatment
Case studies of positive birth experiences
Case studies of positive postnatal experiences
History of midwifery in minority communities
Managing parental experience with challenging births
Midwifery practices in rural areas
Non-chemical pain management in labor
Non-chemical treatment of mental disorders during post-natal care
Non-chemical treatment of mental disorders during pregnancy
Role of midwifery in emergency care
Skincare and hygiene for newborns
Treatment of disabilities during post-natal care
Treatment of disabilities during pregnancy
Treatments of pregnancy-induced hypertension
Ways to engage fathers in pre and post-natal care
Related: How To Become a Midwife: Steps and FAQs
Elderly nursing
Elderly nursing is providing care for geriatric patients, usually over the age of 65. If you are interested in caring for elderly patients, consider choosing a research topic focused on this area of nursing. Some examples of topics are:
Age-related factors in cardiovascular deterioration
Analysis of complications that arise from prolonged hospital stays
Analysis of diet as a factor in dementia
Analysis of effects of aging on the immune system
Analysis of physical environment as a factor in functional decline
Analysis of signs of malnutrition in older adults
Analyzing a nurse's role in advanced-care planning
Care strategies for improving pain management in elderly patients
Case studies of vaccinations for older adults
Case study of Parkinson's disease
Ethical use of physical restraints in elderly patients
Ethics of critical care for geriatric patients
Medical emergencies associated with cancer treatment of elderly patients
Prevention of falls and injuries in elderly patients
Strategies to improve oral health conditions in elderly patients
Strategies to improve recognition of dehydration in aging adults
Strategies to treat sensory system changes in aging adults
Treatment for cardiovascular risk
Treatment of joint disorders in the elderly population
Treatments of Alzheimer's disease
Related: What Is Geriatric Nursing?
Women's health
A women's health nurse is a nurse who works to care for women throughout their lifespan. If you are interested in providing healthcare to women, you may be interested in one of the following topics:
Analysis of emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Analysis of preventive measures for sexually transmitted infections
Analysis of sleep disorders in women
Analysis of treatment for menopause
Analysis of women's healthcare for immigrants
Cultural differences in women's health
Diagnosis procedure for breast cancer
Disorders in female sexual health
Effectiveness of breast cancer screening measures
Environmental factors that lead to high infertility rates
Ethical treatment of infertility
Ethics in women's health
Factors that increase conception in women
The gap between female and male healthcare professionals
Treatments for acne in women
Related: What Is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner?
Mental health nursing
Mental health nursing is caring for patients with disorders who are affected by their brain chemistry or mental processes. If you are interested in mental health, consider some of these topics:
ADHD management strategies
Analysis of mediation treatment on patients with cognitive development impairment
Analysis of mirror therapy in brain rehabilitation
Analysis of the risk factors of anorexia
Analysis of the connection between dopamine levels and autism
Analysis of the connection between screen time and ADHD
Analysis of the relationship between fatigue or depression and cancer
Analysis of treatments for dementia patients
Benefits of using antipsychotics when preventing delirium
Chemical stimulant treatments of ADHD
Detection and risk factors of bipolar disorder
Effects of social media on mental health
Environmental factors in connection with Alzheimer's disease
Genetic factors in bipolar disorder
Methods of recognizing and helping intimate partner violence victims
Prevention techniques for post-traumatic stress disorder
Treatments for helping stroke patients regain their motor functions
Understanding personal experience and sense of self in schizophrenia
Related: What Is a Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner?
Pain management nursing
Pain management is the care of patients who need relief from pain or help to manage chronic pain. If you are interested in pain management nursing, you may consider some of the following topics:
Analyzing the effectiveness of non-chemical pain management methods in adolescents
Analyzing the nurse's role in pain treatment
Chemical and non-chemical pain treatment plans for post-surgery patients
Effectiveness of pain management strategies in cancer patients
History and best practices of cognitive hypnotherapy in pain management
Medication trends in pain management relevant to nurses
Pain management in hemophilia
Treatments for long-term pain
Related: What Is Pain Management Nursing?
Healthcare management
Research topics in healthcare management focus on the business of nursing more so than the care for patients. If you are interested in administrative work, focus on one of the following topics:
Analyzing the quality of healthcare in outpatient facilities
Ethics of healthcare for the homeless
Evaluating diversity in healthcare
Evaluating ethics of nursing uniform code rules
Evaluating gender roles in nursing
Evaluating the shortage of men in healthcare
Examining the digital effect on nursing and its future
Human resources management in hospitals
Leadership styles within ER management
Leadership within rural practices
Methods of enhancing staff relations in healthcare
Nursing education for nurse leadership
Pathways from nursing to physicians
Remote care in the future of nursing