Nursing Research Priorities, Coursework Example

Introduction

Nursing practice continues to benefit from expanded research and knowledge to solve many critical problems that impact patient care and wellbeing. There are a number of nationally recognized priorities which reflect the importance of new perspectives to ensure that nursing research is a key facilitator in shaping practice objectives for the foreseeable future. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has developed a number of grant-related funding opportunities for nurses at many levels of experience in order to advance nursing practice and to solve critical problems that impact nurses and patient care (NINR, 2014). Nurses who receive funding support from the NINR have established relevant and meaningful concepts and ideas that reflect their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in patient care and in advancing nursing practice to the next level (NINR, 2014). Nurses working in a research and/or a clinical capacity should consider the key objectives of the NINR and identify problems with feasible solutions that might be considered for funding from the organization to expand knowledge and improve practice outcomes on a continuous basis (NINR, 2014).

Analysis

The NINR supports the mission and vision of nursing practice to expand research-based knowledge and improve outcomes (NINR, 2014). The organization strives to expand the science behind nursing practice in order to aid in solving serious problems, such as disease and symptom prevention (NINR, 2014). These efforts require an effective understanding of research principles and methodologies to ensure that nurses are efficient in conducting research projects using valuable resources (NINR, 2014). Nurses must also consider important issues associated with the end of life so that quality of life for patients at this stage is optimized (NINR, 2014). Research projects that are supported by the NINR are chosen based on their ability to expand quality of care and treatment for patients who face any number of health concerns (NINR, 2014).

It is expected that all research performed by nurses must adhere to the basic principles that govern the practice and the potential outcomes that might be achieved (Burns and Grove, 2010). From this perspective, it is necessary to develop research questions that are relevant to nurses and that will have a positive impact on patient care and wellbeing (Burns and Grove, 2010). Therefore, it is important to identify specific funding areas that are primary importance to funding agencies such as the NINR, including health disparities and other challenges that often limit quality of life in patients, according to the American Association of Colleges in Nursing (AACN, 2014). These priorities demonstrate a number of critical and unmet needs that are evident throughout nursing practice that require additional attention and resources to ensure that solutions are identified to solve these concerns (AACN, 2014). As a result, it is important to recognize the impact of high quality research on promoting cost efficiency and the effective utilization of resources in a manner that is consistent with the priorities of the NINR and other funding agencies (AACN, 2014). These factors are critical because they reflect a means of expanding knowledge and determining the direction and focus of research for the foreseeable future (AACN, 2014).

Critical areas of importance for nursing research funding also include health systems and related objectives that are concerned with the development of new approaches to important problems that plague many healthcare organizations (AACN, 2014). The contributions made by nurses in these areas should reflect the priorities that nurses possess with respect to enhancing the quality and delivery of care while also minimizing cost and promoting efficiency as best as possible (AACN, 2014). These efforts will also demonstrate that nurse researchers are focusing on the problems that are most relevant to their practice and to the overall needs of patients in modern healthcare systems (AACN, 2014). These contributions will also expand nursing-based knowledge and enable nurses to gain valuable experience in conducting research that will contribute to the betterment of nursing practice as a whole (AACN, 2014).

Finally, the NINR and other agencies continue to utilize technology in a manner that is consistent with enhancing nursing research priorities to improve knowledge regarding evidence-based practice and other areas that benefit nurses in this regard (Kennedy, 2007). From this perspective, it is necessary to develop research-related strategies and objectives that will improve patient outcomes and identify areas where needs remain unfulfilled (Kennedy, 2007). The utilization of technology and other related resources is essential for nurses in order to capture the relevance of new perspectives to ensure that patient care quality is improved and is not compromised in the process (Kennedy, 2007). These elements will facilitate the continued growth and development of new perspectives to promote research and improve patient outcomes (Kennedy, 2007).

Conclusion

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has established a number of critical research priorities that are of interested to nurse researchers. These focus areas support primary funding areas and demonstrate the value of nursing research in advancing nursing as a science and in a clinical capacity. Funding priorities must be considered by nurses seeking funding to complete research projects that are relevant to the research agenda. It is necessary to demonstrate a greater understanding of nursing research and focus areas so that the NINR and other agencies are able to fulfill their missions and support the ongoing development and growth of nursing research in critical areas that will promote high quality patient care and valuable outcomes.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2014). Nursing research. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/nursing-research

Burns, N., and Grove, S.K. (2010). Understanding nursing research: building an evidence-based  practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Kennedy, M.S. (2007). In the NEWS: the NINR launches a new web site. American Journal of Nursing, 107(3), 22.

National Institute of Nursing Research (2014). What is nursing research? Retrieved from http://www.ninr.nih.gov/