Research nurse class

NorthernNurse BSN,RN · Feb 21, 2017

I'm assuming this is for your BSN. Yes, all of us have to do it and none of us really know how. It is very technical, but totally doable. My professor would give us minimal direction, let us struggle with it, then she would critique the section and we would re-write it. It was super frustrating, since none of us knew what we were doing. However, I understand why she did it this way since she can't hold everybody's hand through the process. Is there a specific section you're having trouble with and need advice on?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 22, 2017

I can sense OP's pain.

It may not be any comfort, but in my job I use "research" skills a lot. This is the same for my colleagues who work in Risk, Quality/Safety, Infection Control, etc. We make decisions based upon DATA, not opinion. In order to do that, we have to know what and how to measure & analyze. For instance, if we are considering a major change in IV site care to achieve specific (measurable) improvements. We pilot the change and analyze results to see if it works. The decision to extend the pilot will be based on results (evidence).

Health care is increasingly complex. Nurses have to be able to function in this environment. Maybe nurses in the 1950's could get more staff by eliciting sympathy .... "if we do't do this, the babies will die!" But now, we have to present evidence: how many babies, under what circumstances, and exactly how many additional minutes per patient day will be sufficient to make the improvement. *Sigh*