Personal Artifact

Essentials of Nursing Research

Research plays a very critical role in nursing to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for professional career development. The methods and analytical skills applied in evaluating nursing research literature have been extremely important to me for developing my competencies as a bachelor’s level nursing student. The course, which intends to build on previously gained knowledge and skills, also hopes to expand an individual’s problem-solving capabilities on complex nursing problems that they might encounter in their practice as a nurse. As it is, essentials of evidence-based research helps nursing students to develop foundations to access and analyze nursing literature for application in their professional practice and to help them handle issues they may encounter when dealing with real-life situations (LoBiondo-Wood, &  Haber, 2014). Technological skills relevant for locating research information are also enhanced, as the importance of databases is explored. Students also get a clear understanding of what ethical research entails and the importance of upholding it. In essence, essential of nursing serves as a foundation for graduate-level nursing students, preparing them to be consumers of evidence-based research. 

Apparently, I must admit I was a little nervous when starting this course since I was not sure what to expect. My imagination was that the course would be full of procedures and activities that described everything in detail, without lots of theory work. In fact, I was too excited imagining all the practicality involved in the course. However, as soon as the course was introduced to us, I realized it required a lot of work and dedication from my side and a whole leap of theory. By far, this contradicted my perception of the course, but through personal motivation and support from my friends and my professor, I knew I had to take an interest in the work, as it would shape my career as a professional nurse.

The course involved completing several learning methods, activities, and tasks. Firstly, among the modules of study, the student learning outcomes expected students to be able to learn how to analyze and apply economic, demographic and technological elements in health care delivery. Secondly, students had to learn and know how to apply the most important aspects relating to legal, social, and ethical issues that influence professional nursing practice. Thirdly, it was important to develop a strong foundation of evidence-based research from the theory covered in the syllabus. Further, the course also focused on helping student nurses to be able to integrate their professional values, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors into their practice. During the course, several factors contributed to my ability to gain the much-needed knowledge, skills, and shape my attitude to attain the achievements and competency in my career. Through a step-by-step theoretical framework, I managed to have a broader perspective about my practice as a nurse. Several hours dedicated to intensive reading have provided me with a better understanding of the political, social and cultural issues that are likely to affect my work and influence care delivery. In addition, because the course focused more on theory rather than practical procedures, one of the most significant elements that we were required to develop is the ability to think critically. This usually came about when were required to simulate what we read in theory in a practical situation in care delivery. Another important skill that I learned during the course was the ability to analyze a situation, apply theoretical procedures to make a decision. This helped me realize that practicing as a nurse is not an easy task and it takes a great deal of reading and understanding to complete a task successfully. For instance, when faced with a dilemma between doing what is right and what the patient, I learned the art of simulating the patient environment and what I would expect the caregiver to do and this helped me a great deal.

Virtually, research takes two different approaches, the qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative methods carefully specify the research design before indulging in any study and sticks to the design once the task is underway (Polit & Beck, 2010). By contrast, Polit and Beck point out, in qualitative research, the design evolves as the study intensifies and decisions are required on how best to obtain data. This approach is more appealing to the nursing profession in that as researchers make decisions, they keep on referring on what has already been learned. During the entire course, this was the most demanding part of all, as it required several hours of concentration. Nevertheless, I eventually grasped the skills necessary for applying this approach in my practice, which is a true reflection of my desire to apply inquiry-based research health care delivery.

My strengths during this course were the ability to dedicate several hours gathering information and staying focused in my work. Although, if I were to do it again, I would try to invest more in studying more specific areas that are likely to boost my professionalism skills in evidence-based research practices. Working with others as a group to brainstorm on various theories also contributed a large part to the development of my knowledge and skills. Moreover, working as a team further helped develop my personal skills such as organization, adaptability, professionalism, and having a positive attitude towards care delivery, which is an important aspect of my life as a nurse. Nevertheless, working as a team has not blurred my ability to work as an individual and make important decisions. In fact, when we were starting I was not confident in skills, but as time went by I realized that this was a very important part of becoming a professional nurse. Gradually, I was able to adapt, and I can easily work independently or as a team.

By completing this course, I have developed skills necessary to transfer the theory-based learning into evidence-based research, critical for my practice. From the course materials, I have developed confidence required to ensure proper research is carried out during patient care delivery. Furthermore, working as a team instilled in me the spirit of involving others in my work. Overall, I enjoyed my essentials in nursing research course, and I would definitely encourage others who have an interest in becoming competent in their evidence-based research knowledge and skills. At first, it is not going to be easy, as a lot of theory work is involved and less practice. However, the knowledge and skills acquired from the course are worth investing my time and hard work. In future, I seek to continue exploring the different theories significant in the practical application of evidence-based research. As it is, this is the one way to greatly improve my knowledge and skills as everyday is a learning day for the professional nurse.

References

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. St. Louis, Missouri; Elsevier.Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.