do nursing students get to do RESEARCH?

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Do nursing students get to do research like pre-med students do? Would it be likely for me to get a research position with my nursing pre-reqs even though there will be students with "harder" science courses under their belts? I know that some nursing students have research classes, but what about the BSN students who go through a pre-nursing stage for the first two years of their undergrad? I'm sorry if this is common knowledge...

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

In my nursing research methods class, we wrote a hypothetical research proposal with our expected results, but no research was actually conducted. I think we may have had the opportunity to take an "independent studies" class which could have involved something like research under the guide of a mentor, but I'm not 100% sure.

In my psychology research methods class, we did research. We wrote a proposal, filled out an IRB form, got approval, found subjects, and analyzed data.

Everything in nursing is "evidenced based practice", which means someone is doing the research, but probably not an undergrad. As a Bachelors prepared nurse, I was told throughout school that once we got out, we could be involved in unit based research or bring up such ideas to better our units or practice. Nursing research isn't often the same thing as medical research or drug studies...it's more client and outcomes based in my opinion. I know in the Master's program I'm interested in, there's a thesis component which can definitely involve research of the qualitative or quantitative type. :D

Now to answer your question, what do you consider a "research position"? Are you interested in being a research assistant while in school? I guess it all depends on the competition and your other qualifications, but I don't think nursing would give you a leg up on someone with harder sciences in a science lab based research endeavor.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Neuro.

Absolutely, at my school anyway. Oftentimes at least 2 of the instructors or our chair are working a research project and if you make yourself available, they love to utilize students. You don't get credit for it, but it is an amazing thing to have on your applications after nursing school.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
Absolutely, at my school anyway. Oftentimes at least 2 of the instructors or our chair are working a research project and if you make yourself available, they love to utilize students. You don't get credit for it, but it is an amazing thing to have on your applications after nursing school.

That is SOOOO cool! I love research and would have loved to do that as an undergrad!

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

As undergrads, we didn't at my uni.

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Nope, we don't do it at our school.

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I agree that it depends on your program, other credentials and courses that you have, and your school.

Typically, nursing research is not the same research that 'pre-meds' or hard/life sciences majors take.

For example, while a pre-med/bio major/biochem major may work in a lab and explore the role of Substance P in autoimmunity, a nursing student may be studying the reactions/outcomes of pediatric chronic disease patients who transfer to adult care. The focus of nursing and medicine research are quite different, much like the two models of care.

If you prefer more of the 'hard science' research, you will almost certainly need to consider taking classes in this area outside of the nursing program. It will open more doors and give you the background that you need.

I would ask your prof about any research opportunties for nursing students. They should be able to guide you.

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Specializes in Neuro.
I agree that it depends on your program, other credentials and courses that you have, and your school.

Typically, nursing research is not the same research that 'pre-meds' or hard/life sciences majors take.

For example, while a pre-med/bio major/biochem major may work in a lab and explore the role of Substance P in autoimmunity, a nursing student may be studying the reactions/outcomes of pediatric chronic disease patients who transfer to adult care. The focus of nursing and medicine research are quite different, much like the two models of care.

If you prefer more of the 'hard science' research, you will almost certainly need to consider taking classes in this area outside of the nursing program. It will open more doors and give you the background that you need.

I would ask your prof about any research opportunties for nursing students. They should be able to guide you.

Yeah I would agree, out late big research project was about diabetes education in rural Idaho.

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