does nursing have thesis

Writing a Thesis for Nursing School

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Writing a thesis presents an opportunity for graduate students to conduct scholarly inquiry, with the potential of publishing their finished paper. A thesis requires nursing students to identify a problem in nursing, and review academic literature while developing advanced research skills. Thesis advisors and committees guide students from the proposal phase to the final oral defense, a process that spans about two semesters.

Not every nursing student is required to complete a thesis. Some nursing programs offer a non-thesis option, in which candidates complete a final capstone project or oral examination on topics such as nursing theories and clinical practices.

The thesis process and requirements vary by school. Ohio State University’s master of science in nursing program’s final examination includes oral and written portions.

Want to know what to expect during the thesis process? Read on to learn how you can choose a thesis topic and orally defend your paper.

Choosing Your Nursing Thesis Topic

Nursing students must choose a thesis topic before they begin the research and writing process, typically within the first two terms of nursing school. A solid thesis must present an original argument, manageable research scope, and worthy academic pursuit. A thesis advisor or research professor will help to guide each student through the process of choosing a topic.

In the conceptual phase, candidates research potential thesis topics based on their interests within their nursing specialty. Students may start with a broad topic such as obesity and weight management, depression, or cardiovascular disease. To narrow their thesis argument, graduate students might focus on racial or ethnic groups, socio-economic issues, or current events.

After settling on a topic, students draft and submit a thesis proposal to an advisor or committee chair. Once this proposal has been approved, students can begin the formal work on his or her approved thesis topic.

While graduate students must complete a thesis to fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree in nursing, the thesis process also offers a chance for future nurses to immerse themselves in current academic literature and collaborate with fellow graduate students, faculty, and professors. A thesis can also serve as the foundation for doctoral studies. A thesis at the doctoral (PhD) level is called a dissertation.

Completing Your Nursing Thesis

Brainstorming a thesis topic begins as early as the first semester of a master’s in nursing program. The formal thesis process, which typically spans multiple terms, does not take place until the student’s final year, usually during the last term.

Thesis requirements vary by school, and students must meet specific deadlines and take prerequisite courses beforehand. At the University of Texas-Houston’s School of Nursing , candidates take a public health class before they submit a thesis proposal.

Future nurses work under the guidance of a thesis committee and advisor. The experience of writing a thesis trains students in original investigation, data collection, implementing research design, and public speaking. Candidates also learn to flex their analytical thinking skills and master a specific area of nursing as they develop the ability to analyze and draw conclusions through data.

At a program’s conclusion, students submit their thesis as a bound manuscript or electronic file. In addition to submitting a written report, students orally defend their final thesis in front of the committee. Many graduates also submit their manuscripts for publication.

Presenting Your Nursing Thesis

Graduate students generally orally defend their proposal and present their completed thesis in front of their committee. This committee also includes the thesis mentor, a faculty member specializing in the nursing discipline of their scholarly inquiry. There are generally 3 total committee members on a thesis committee.

Fellow graduate students or consultants outside of the college may attend presentations, if the process is open to the public. Otherwise, the thesis defense remains a private session, with students presenting their findings. The oral examination of the thesis takes up to one hour, but can last longer depending on how many questions the committee has for the student.

During that time, the committee evaluates the thesis based on how the research experience has shaped the student’s graduate education and the findings’ significance to the nursing field. When the exam concludes, the committee either accepts or rejects the thesis defense.

How is a Nursing Thesis Graded?

Nursing schools rely on each committee to formally grade each product in the thesis process. Some graduate nursing students may receive a letter grade, while other nursing schools adhere to a “pass” or “fail” policy.

To determine a grade, the committee assesses the thesis based on set criteria. Committee members look at the project’s key components, including the statement of purpose, literature review, research methodology, analysis, findings, and implications. The process and grading criteria for the thesis process can be found in the school’s graduate handbook. Most of these handbooks are published online for student review.

The thesis must identify significant issues or service gaps in nursing and present them in a concise and coherent fashion. Candidates must support all findings and analysis by research and explain the implications for healthcare.

The oral defense also factors into the grade. The committee grades the defense based on the quality of the student’s presentation, taking into consideration if the student spoke clearly and presented a logical and well-organized argument.

What is the Difference Between a Nursing Thesis and a Capstone?

A nursing thesis and a capstone demonstrate the student’s comprehensive knowledge and educational journey. Graduate students in a non-research track may have the choice of completing a clinical project. Doctoral of Nursing ( DNP ) students complete a capstone project.

Graduate-level nursing students work on an original scholarly inquiry during their thesis, while undergraduates recap their cumulative learning experience. The thesis process, which includes completing nursing courses and writing a proposal, takes place over the entire program.

Learn more about the difference between a thesis and capstone project on this page .

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Do You Have to Write Papers In Nursing School?

Writing an essay or research paper in school usually comes under one of those “you love it or hate it” categories.

Many nursing students hate writing papers in nursing school, while others may find it enjoyable (or even preferred) compared to other activities such as group projects.

But will you have to write a lot of papers in nursing school? If so, how many papers will you have to write? These are all great questions for anyone interested in possibly enrolling in a nursing school program.

Writing Papers In Nursing School

Generally speaking, yes, you will most likely have to write a few papers before graduating nursing school. The good news is that you probably won’t have to write A LOT of papers. But it is almost guaranteed that you will have to write SOME papers.

How many papers you write will often depend on how long you attend (example: 4 year degree vs. 2 year degree),  the specific curriculum your nursing school uses,  as well as the individual teacher’s course requirements or preferences.

All of these variables can really make the number of papers you write hard to determine with any precision.

How Many Papers Will Your Write with a 4 Year BSN Degree?

In my general education college program, I had to take 2 standard English classes (Critical Reading and Writing, and Argumentation and Debate). These required papers throughout the entire semester. I also had to take a literature class, which did require a bit of writing. I also had to write the occasional paper for classes such as sociology, and a couple of other general classes, but these were relatively rare.

Once I was into the actual nursing program, the number of papers I had to write diminished quite a bit. I do recall writing a handful of papers though. One paper was for a nursing community class. There were also a few group projects where we were required to write a paper together, or a presentation.

Writing Papers in an ADN (2 Year) Degree Program

Since most ADN programs go straight into the nursing classes, I would imagine that you won’t have as many papers to write.

You will still probably have the occasional group project or be required to write up your opinion or do a research paper or essay on something in the healthcare profession. But these will not be the norm for the bulk of your classes, and it isn’t that bad to write the occasional paper.

The good news about writing papers in nursing school is this: Since most teachers specialized in science or health, they won’t be “experts” on the English language. In my own experience, teachers in the nursing program were much more laid-back, and didn’t grade the papers as stringently as you might expect a teacher from the English department would.

This is good news for those of you who struggle with writing (or for those students who may not speak English as their first language).

Writing Papers in a Master’s Program

I also have a friend going back to school to get her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. She just started this fall, and recently commented about the number of papers she will have to write this semester. In addition, most Master Degree programs do require a very lengthy “thesis” or “research paper” at the end of the program to qualify for graduation. Therefore, you should keep in mind if you ever plan on pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing, you will be writing a lot more papers.

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Writing a Nursing Research Paper that Meets Professor's Requirements

As a nursing student, you will spend much time researching, reading, and writing papers. Many students find the entire process of writing research papers challenging.

Imagine on top of spending many hours in clinical practice shifts only to find yourself sparing more time researching and writing, not to mention the overwhelming information condensed in a few hours of in-class lecture sessions. Working shifts and studying while having family duties and obligations worsens it, and when done in a rush, you end up with subpar papers and average grades.

Even though many student nurses find writing research papers tricky and daunting, you can write a perfect paper that ticks all the checkboxes your professor uses to mark them and be sure to get an A+ grade on your nursing paper.

Our expert nursing research writers, who have written thousands of BSN, MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. papers, have compiled this comprehensive guide to help you write a strong nursing research paper that leaves a lasting impression on your professor.

Having marked many papers and supervised many theses, capstone projects, and dissertations, you can trust that the information herein is valuable and timely in your pursuit of nursing career success.

What is a Nursing Research Paper?

A nursing research paper is a scholarly and thesis-driven paper that a nursing student (at ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. level) writes to comprehensively explore a specific nursing research topic either of their choice or one that the professor assigns.

To write a perfect research paper, the student has to provide concrete, reliable, and trustworthy evidence. In most cases, even professionals such as RNs undertaking clinical practice, nursing education training, clinical studies and evaluations, and nursing research can also write research papers published in journals or conferences to advance and disseminate nursing knowledge. The typical length of most nursing papers ranges from 5 pages to 20 pages, depending mainly on the complexity of the subject, the word count limits, and the requirements. Nurses and nursing students write research papers to share their insights as they learn more about nursing processes and practices. Nursing research papers are used to: document research, organize information, advance nursing scholarship, and improve the writing skills of nurses. Students in the USA, Australia, Japan, and Canada write their research papers in the American Psychological Association (APA) format, while those in Australia and the UK write them in Harvard formats. The research papers fall under three main categories:

• Analytical research papers. These papers present an analysis of the topic using evidence, facts, and examples.
• Argumentative research papers. These research papers are analytical but with a twist where the writer uses evidence to reinforce their opinion and persuade the reader.
• Expository research papers. This category of nursing research papers explains the subject matter using credible evidence such as examples, facts, statistics, and other pieces of evidence.

Structure and Format of a Nursing Research Paper

A simple nursing research paper, especially an expository or informative type, can have 5 paragraphs, like a typical essay. However, longer research papers have additional sections.

Scientific Nursing Research Paper Structure

Here is a breakdown of how a well-formatted and scientific nursing research paper should look like.

• Title Page. The title page comprises the research paper title, details of the student or professional writer, course details, details of the school or institution, and the date. The cover page is the first contact point with the reader. It is brief.
• Abstract. The abstract summarizes the nursing research paper. It is 200-250 words long and should be focused on what the reader expects. It is a condensed version of the paper, which is critical to help professors know what your paper is about. It should not have acronyms. Note that the word count of the abstract is not considered part of the research paper.
• The Introduction. The introduction should have an attention-getter or a hook that can be a statement, statistic, or fact. It should be 10% of the entire word count. It also has background information that details the nursing issue or topic you are exploring. It also comprises a well-thought-out thesis statement related to the topic. If you have a long paper, ensure that your problem and purpose statements are part of the introduction. It should also list your PICOT question .
• Literature Review. This is a critical section of the research paper. Here, you should explore other nursing scholars' thoughts and scholarly findings. Focus on peer-reviewed scholarly articles that address the same issue as your thesis statement or topic. Explore your topic's theories, theoretical frameworks, and other facts. Do it so well that your professor marvels at your research, organization, and writing prowess. Consider the levels of evidence as you choose selection criteria for the papers to include in your nursing literature review.
• Research Methodology. This section of the research paper details the data collection methods, such as ethnographic studies, secondary data collection, literature review, quasi-experimental research, correlational studies, descriptive research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, or experiments. Ensure that you state and give a rationale for your research design (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods). If you are writing a quantitative paper, explain how you tested the hypotheses. Also, report the sampling frame and the sampling strategy.
• Results and Discussion. This section of the paper presents the findings. You can use visual aids such as charts and graphs for a quantitative research paper. If you are writing a qualitative research paper, present the evidence chronologically. When presenting the findings, avoid making definitive facts. Instead, ensure that the results suggest something is true or false, even when testing a hypothesis.
• Conclusion and Recommendations. The conclusion should be 10% of the entire word count. You should restate the thesis and give a summary of your entire paper. Explore the recommendations for future research on the topic.
• Ensure that your reference list is arranged alphabetically. The list should adhere to the formatting requirements (Harvard, ASA, or APA formats). Only use scholarly peer-reviewed references.

Format for a General Nursing Research Paper

If you are writing a non-scientific nursing research paper, you will only have three sections as follows:

• Introduction. The introduction paragraph should introduce the topic by providing an attention-getter, background information, and a thesis statement.
• Body of the paper . The body paragraphs should have strong topic sentences, supporting details (examples, evidence, and explanation), and concluding sentences. It should also portray a good use of transition words. You should analyze the topic and use evidence to support the arguments, and give enough explanation. Use in-text citations within the body paragraphs.
• Conclusion. End the paper by recapping the main points, reasserting the thesis statement, and signaling the end of the paper to give your readers good closure.

An excellent nursing research paper follows this structure as long as it is not research-based. The three-part approach is super recommended if you did not conduct any study. In most cases, when assigned to write those 5-12 pages of nursing school research papers, you will be using this format.

So, what are the steps for writing a good nursing research paper? Let’s find out in the next section.

The 6 Main Steps for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

Writing assignments are an essential training aspect for nursing students. No wonder professors will stress that you write essays, discussion posts, responses, or proposals well. They are doing so to prepare you for research roles somewhere in your nursing career.

According to our most successful research paper writers, writing a top-grade research paper involves decoding the instructions, selecting a good topic, planning, researching, writing, and polishing the paper.

Here is a breakdown of each step for clarity and deeper understanding.

Step #1: Understand the Prompt or Instructions

You can only perfect what you know! Therefore, you can begin the research writing process by reading, analyzing, and understanding the instructions. It is an essential pre-writing stage process where you carefully read the instructions.

Although it sounds obvious, most nursing students who write off-topic and subpar research papers jump into writing without reading to understand the instructions.

You need to skim through the instructions on the first attempt, then read keenly and critically as you take note of the scope of the assignment, the topic, and other things you must fulfill in the paper. Take note of the:

• The number of words.
• Type of research paper (argumentative, analytical, exploratory, or persuasive).
• The structure of the paper (thesis-driven or research/study-based (scientific) research paper.
• The deadline.
• Whether you need to draft an outline.
• Reading materials.
• Whether you need external sources.
• Which sources to use and how many?
• The theoretical constructions or conceptual frameworks.
• The age limit of the scholarly sources.

If you need further clarification, ensure that you ask your peers, professor, or a professional writer in time.

Step #2: Select a Good Nursing Research Topic

Compared to average students, top nursing students always remember to select a research topic they are comfortable handling. When you are confident with a topic, you can develop it without procrastinating.

Sometimes you are given a list of nursing research paper topics, issues, and ideas to consider. Other times, you come up with the topic and consult your professor/educator for approval.  

Choose topics related to patient safety, nursing processes, nurse staffing, nursing policies, nurse privileges, nursing legislations, nursing ethics, mental health, health promotion, chronic disease management, healthcare systems, health informatics, changes in healthcare, and working conditions.

Choose any nursing topic that resonates with your specialization interests. It should be manageable, relevant, and explorable.

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Step #3: Plan your Paper

Create a thesis statement for your research paper if it is thesis-driven rather than study-based or scientific (experimental). After writing the thesis, like any of our nursing assignment slayers, write a good outline using Roman numbers and numbers.

List the ideas you wish to have in your paper in chronological order, starting with the introduction, body, and concluding paragraphs. As you outline, do some preliminary research so that you develop arguments the right way.

Include the in-text citations in your nursing research paper outline to simplify the writing process.

Step #4: Research and Organize Resources

Doing in-depth research as you refine the draft would be appropriate because you know what you want the paper to look like. Use scholarly nursing databases for research and limit yourself to topic-related scholarly articles published within the last 5 years.

You can read the abstracts of the articles to determine if they are fit to use in your paper. If you find the best articles, list them using online citation management tools such as RefWorks, Zotero, EndNote, Citefast, or any of your choice.

Ensure to list them in the most appropriate formatting styles. Take notes and list the points and ideas in your outline. Do your research meticulously and ensure that you organize the process to avoid any confusion.

Step #5: Write the First Draft

With the research, synthesis, and outline, you are now left with the chance to put rubber on the road. Use the Pomodoro technique, where you spend stretches of 25 minutes of focused work and have minor 5-minute breaks.

Ensure you cover as much ground in your research paper as possible before three-quarters of the deadline. When writing the paper, and considering that you have the outline, you can start chronologically from the introduction to the appendices.

Most research paper writing pros prefer working on the body section and conclusion before writing the introduction and finalizing the abstract. Whatever works best for you, adopt it. When writing the first draft, focus on piecing together the information rather than perfection.

Ensure you research lightly as you write and assert your voice while giving the right in-text citations for every idea you paraphrase from a source to avoid plagiarism. Each body paragraph should only have one idea.

Step #6: Edit, Proofread, and Polish the Paper

The final step towards completing your nursing research paper is ensuring everything is in its rightful place. A polished research paper scores 90% and above, which is an A. Begin by reading the paper aloud to identify areas that do not make sense.

If there is a need, do not hesitate to rewrite an entire section so that you have the right flow of information.

Check the grammatical, spelling, and syntax errors and make necessary corrections. You should also check the tenses used in the paper. If you feel like polishing the essay is too much work, you are better off hiring a nursing paper proofreader/editor.

When you receive feedback from your educator or professor, address the changes and resend the paper for grading.

Related Reading: How to write an evidence-based nursing paper.

Valuable Tips to Consider as You Write Your Nursing Research Paper

Nursing schools and educators have their standards and guidelines for writing a research paper. Therefore, ensure that before everything else, you familiarize yourself and adhere to these instructions, which include word count and citation styles.

Do not assume anything when writing a paper. You should also access and understand suggestions from your school’s writing lab. Apart from these essential tips, also ensure that you follow the insights we give below:

• Write your paper using a formal tone. Do not use passive voice when writing the paper. Instead, use active voice.
• Your paper should have a good organization from the introduction to the conclusion.
• Whenever you borrow ideas from a scholarly source, ensure you cite them correctly.
• Have a well-thought-out thesis statement that clarifies your arguments.
• Create a complete outline during the early stages of writing. It gives you a roadmap to follow as you write the paper. Organize the ideas chronologically based on their strength and weaknesses.
• Have a plan and schedule to trace your progress with the paper.
• If you have a more extended deadline, contribute to your research paper daily.
• When writing the paper, start with the body, the conclusion, and the introduction last.
• If you are writing a study-based research paper, include the literature review, methodology, discussion, and conclusion sections per the IMRAD format. A general nursing research paper follows the essay structure: introduction, body section, and conclusion.
• Use peer-reviewed scholarly sources from CINAHL, PubMed, Nursing Reference Center, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and other nursing research databases with peer-reviewed articles. Credible sources mean your research paper has rigor since you have strong points.
• Proofread and edit the paper thoroughly to remove any mistakes to signal your seriousness to your professor. If possible, use professional editing services.
• Have a compelling conclusion that is elaborate, clear, and concise.
• Read your paper aloud to identify mistakes.
• Revise the paper, and do not fear rewriting an entire section.

When writing a research paper, adhere to the writing conventions. You should also read well and understand how to communicate through academic writing effectively. Your paper should document evidence that supports your arguments and topic.

Write concisely, coherently, and accurately. It is not all in vain; you are training for your future role as a nurse when you will write conference papers, white papers, essays, policy documents, letters, blog posts, and professional nursing articles.

Checklist for a Great Research Paper in Nursing

Now that you have written your paper, you must align a few things to make it the best your professor will read. Most nursing classes, especially at the graduate levels (MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. levels), have small class sizes, and the professors spend time reading the papers from start to end. This means that you should leave nothing to chance.

Nursing research asserts professional identity, ensures accountability in nursing decision-making, and expands nursing practice. You have to be meticulous when writing a research paper in nursing.

A good research paper demonstrates a complete understanding of nursing knowledge, topic exploration, advanced organization, proper formatting, and mature academic writing skills. The following checklist enlists some main aspects to countercheck before hitting the submit button.

• Have I followed all the instructions outlined in the assignment prompt or rubric?
• Does my paper have the right title page?
• Does the paper have a written title that resonates with the thesis and the research question?
• Is the introduction presenting an attention grabber, background information, and a signpost of the ideas in the paper?
• Is the thesis statement well-thought-out, clear, concise, and elaborate?
• Is the problem statement clearly stated?
• If it is a PICOT-based research paper, is the PICO question well-outlined?
• Does the paper touch well on the nursing issue that the topic needs it to address?
• Is there a logical flow of the paragraphs?
• Are the words in each paragraph balanced?
• Does the paper have correctly formatted headings and subheadings?
• Are the in-text citations done correctly and consistently?
• Does every paragraph in the body of the paper build on the thesis?
• Does the paper demonstrate a mature choice of words and uses nursing lingo?
• Is the literature review section comprehensive? Does it have a theoretical and conceptual framework or constructs?
• Are the data and information presented in the literature review current?
• Has the methodology section listed the sample, sampling strategy, data collection and analyses, and rationale for each?
• Does the discussion section interlink the concepts from the literature review with the findings?
• Does the conclusion offer good closure to the readers? Does it restate the thesis? Does it summarize the recommendations?
• Is the entire paper formatted correctly? Does it follow the formatting guidelines?
• Is the paper devoid of spelling, syntax, and mechanical mistakes?

If your answer to all these questions is a resounding YES, you are sure it will fetch your professor a good grade. Our nursing writers, most of whom are alumni from top nursing universities and colleges such as Chamberlain, Capella, Herzing, Vanderbilt, SFU, Rutgers, Yale, Duke, NYU, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, McGill, Ottawa, Queens, and other best colleges in the USA, UK, Canada, and many other places. Besides, they are nursing educators in different capacities, and a couple are nursing professors with big titles; you can trust the checklist to guarantee you an excellent grade.

Where to Get Help When Writing Research Paper

As a nursing student, writing a research paper is something you will most likely enjoy doing. However, unforeseen things happen, prompting you to search the internet for sites to help you do your nursing research paper. NurseMyGrade.com is one such place to pay a nursing writer to do your paper.

Expect a paper that meets all the requirements, is written by a human rather than AI software, and is uniquely tailored to your requirements.  Our rates are affordable, and our writers cover diverse fields. Apart from offering advice about research, writing, and formatting papers, we have resourceful writers whom we allow you to communicate directly with via our platform.

We also maintain high levels of secrecy because we care more about your privacy and confidentiality of your details. Not even your professor can tell you got help from our website because we advise on specific strategies to use the paper. We have assisted students in various levels of nursing education with their writing, and we can do yours too.

Get affordable, well-researched, formatted, and organized nursing research papers done for you today by filling out the order form. Nursing research papers are a chance to stand out. Let our professionals help you achieve your nursing school goals.

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Levels of Distress Among Women Veterans Attending a Women’s Health Specialty Clinic in the VA Healthcare System , Debbie T. Devine

Examination of the Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in the Treatment of Symptoms of PTSD and Sleep Dysfunction in Veterans and Civilians , Marian Jevone Hardwick

Investigating the Mutual Effects of Depression and Spiritual Well-being on Quality of Life in Hospice Patients with Cancer and Family Caregivers Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model , Li-Ting Huang

The Change in Nutritional Status in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Retrospective Descriptive A Retrospective Descriptive Study , Dina A. Masha'al

Exploring the Relationship Between Severity of Illness and Human Milk Volume in Very Low Birth Weight and Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Over Six Weeks , Shannon Leigh Morse

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores and Novel Risk Factors in Relation to Race and Gender , Johanna Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

A Comparative Evaluation of the Learner Centered Grading Debriefing Method in Nursing Education , Marisa J. Belote

Sleep, Depressive Symptoms and Cognition in Older Adults and Caregivers of Persons with Dementia , Glenna Shemida Brewster

The Relationship between Hearing Status and Cognitive Performance and the Influence of Depressive Symptoms in the Older Adult , Julie A. Daugherty

Basal Salivary Oxytocin and Skin to Skin Contact among Lactating Mothers of Premature Infants , Jessica Marie Gordon

The Relationship Between Nurses' Emotional Intelligence and Patient Outcomes , Mary Kutash

Sexual Functioning and Body Image in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors , Carly Lynn Paterson

Cognitive Load of Registered Nurses During Medication Administration , Sarah Faith Perron

A Comparison of Quality of Life between Intense and Non-Intense Treatment for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome , Sara Marie Tinsley

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Acculturation, Self-Efficacy and Breastfeeding Behavior in a Sample of Hispanic Women , Ivonne F. Hernandez

Knowledge and Acceptance of HPV and the HPV Vaccine in Young Men and Their Intention to be Vaccinated , Brenda Renee Jasper

The Relationships Between Sleep Disturbances, Depression, Inflammatory Markers, and Sexual Trauma in Female Veterans , Ellen Marcolongo

Examination of Possible Protective Effect of Rhesus D Positive Blood Factor on Toxoplasma-related Depressive Symptoms in Pregnancy , Lisa Lynn Parnell

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners Regarding Skin Cancer Assessmnets: Validity and Reliability of a New Instrument , Debra Michelle Shelby

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Knowledge and Practice of Reproductive Health among Mothers and their Impact on Fetal Birth Outcomes: A Case of Eritrea , Winta Negusse Araya

Race/Ethnicity, Subjective and Objective Sleep Quality, Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors , Pinky H. Budhrani

Factors Predicting Pap Smear Adherence in HIV-infected Women: Using the Health Belief Model , Crystal L. Chapman Lambert

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Body Mass Index on Vitamin D Levels in African American Women with and without Diabetes Living in Areas with Abundant Sunshine , Shani Vann Davis

Predictors of Quality of Life in Patients with Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma , Darcie Marie Deaver

Relationship between dysphoric moods, risk-taking behaviors, and Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers in female veterans , Allyson Radford Duffy

Prenatal Stress, Depression, and Herpes Viral Titers , Pao-Chu Hsu

Factors Associated with Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence Among Survivors , Jean Marie Lucas

Sickle Cell Disease: The Role of Self-Care Management , Nadine Matthie

Factors Influencing Vaccination Decisions in African American Mothers of Preschool Age Children , Chauntel Mckenzie Mcnair

The Strong Black Woman, Depression, and Emotional Eating , Michelle Renee Offutt

Development of an Investigator-designed Questionnaire Concerning Childbirth Delivery Options based on the Theory of Planned Behavior , Chun-Yi Tai

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

The Mediating Effect of Distress Caused by Constipation on Predictors of Quality of Life of Hospice Patients with Cancer. , Abdel Alkhalouf

Testing a Model of Bacterial Vaginosis among Black Women , Jessica Brumley

The Effect of Tight Glycemic Control on Surgical Site Infection Rates in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery , Sierra Gower

Development of a Tool for Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment and Preventive Interventions in Ancillary Services Patients , Monica Shutts Messer

Hospice Nurses- Attitudes and Knowledge about Pain Management , Amie Jacqueline Miller

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Literacy and Hazard Communication Comprehension of Employees Presenting to an Occupational Health Clinic , Christine Bouchard

A Meta-Analysis of Cultural Competence Education in Professional Nurses and Nursing Students , Ruth Wilmer Gallagher

Relationship Between Cancer-Related Fatigue and Depression: A Pilot Study , Gloria Michelle Guess

A Comparison of Oncology and Non-Oncology Nurses in Their Knowledge of Cancer Pain Management , Nicole Houle

Evaluating Knowledge and Attitudes of Graduate Nursing Students Regarding Pain , Eric Bartholomew Jackson

Bone Marrow Transplant Nurses' Attitudes about Caring for Patients Who are Near the End of Life: A Quality Improvement Project , Leslie Lauersdorf

Translation and Adaptation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale Into Tigrigna Language for Tigrigna Speaking Eritrean Immigrants in the United States , Mulubrhan Fisseha Mogos

Nurse Manager Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor to Registered Nurse Job Satisfaction and RN Perceptions of the Practice Environment and the Relationship to Patient, Nursing and Hospital Outcomes , Jacqueline Cecilia Munro

The Relationship of Mid-Pregnancy Levels of Cytokines, Stress, and Depression with Gestational Age at Delivery , Melissa Molinari Shelton

Prophylactic, Risk-Reducing Surgery in Unaffected BRCA-Positive Women: Quality Of Life, Sexual Functioning and Psychological Well-Being , Sharon Tollin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Relationship Between FAM5C SNP (rs10920501) Variability, Metabolic Syndrome, and Inflammation, in Women with Coronary Heart Disease , Jennifer L. Cline

Women’s Perceptions of Postpartum Stress: A Narrative Analysis , Nancy Gilbert Crist

Lived Experience: Near-Fatal Adolescent Suicide Attempt , Phyllis Ann Dougherty

Exploring the Relationships among Work-Related Stress, Quality of Life, Job Satisfaction, and Anticipated Turnover on Nursing Units with Clinical Nurse Leaders , Mary Kohler

A Comparative Study of Knowledge of Pain Management in Certified and Non-Certified Oncology Nurses , Sherrie A. LaLande

Evaluating Knowledge and Attitudes of Undergraduate Nursing Students Regarding Pain Management , Jessica Latchman

Evaluation of Oncology Nurses' Knowledge, Practice Behaviors, and Confidence Specific to Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy , Rebecca Denise McAllister

Moderating the Effectiveness of Messages to Promote Physical Activity in Type 2 Diabetes , Rachel E. Myers

Factors Affecting the Process of Clinical Decision-Making in Pediatric Pain Management by Emergency Department Nurses , Teresa A. Russo

The Correlation Between Neuropathy Limitations and Depression in Chemotherapy Patients , Melissa Thebeau

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Fatigue Symptom Distress and Its Relationship with Quality Of Life in Adult Stem Cell Transplant Survivors , Suzan Fouad Abduljawad R.N., B.S.N.

Nursing Advocacy and the Accuracy of Intravenous to Oral Opioid Conversion at Discharge in the Cancer Patient , Maria L. Gallo R.N., O.C.N.

Transitional Care for Adolescents with HIV: Characteristics and Current Practices of the Adolescent Trials Network Systems of Care , Patricia Gilliam

The Effect of Ethical Ideology and Professional Values on Registered Nurses’ Intentions to Act Accountably , Susan R. Hartranft

Falls in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients: A Retrospective Study , Lura Henderson R.N., B.S.N.

Predictors of cancer caregiver depression symptomatology , Henry R. Rivera

Psychosocial outcomes of weight stigma among college students , Sabrina Joann Robinson

The Experience of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer , Andrea Shaffer

The Relationship Between Uncertainty in Illness and Anxiety in Patients With Cancer , Naima Vera

Shifting Paradigms: The Development of Nursing Identity in Foreign-Educated Physicians Retrained as Nurses Practicing in the United States , Liwliwa Reyes Villagomeza

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Prostate Cancer Screening Intention Among African American Men: An Instrument Development Study , Susan Anita Baker

The Geriatric Cancer Experience in End of Life: Model Adaptation and Testing , Harleah G. Buck

Communication Systems and HIV/AIDS Sexual Decision Making in Older Adolescent and Young Adult Females , Rasheeta D. Chandler MS, ARNP, FNP-BC

Relationship of Anger Trait and Anger Expression to C-Reactive Protein in Post-Menopausal Women , Rosalyn Gross

Identifying Patients with Cancer at Risk of Experiencing a Fall While Hospitalized , Joann M. Heaton

Modulation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function by Cigarette Smoke Condensate in a Bronchial Epithelial Cell Co-Culture Model , Alison J. Montpetit

Cancer Patients with Pain: Examination of the Role of the Spouse/Partner Relationship In Mediating Quality of Life Outcomes for the Couple , Mary Ann Morgan

Development of an Ecological Model to Predict Risk for Acquisition of Clostridium difficile -Associated Diarrhea During Acute Care Hospitalization , Susan Elaine Steele

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool , Cindy S. Tofthagen

Health Decision Behaviors: Appropriateness of Dietary Choice , Daryle Hermelin Wane

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

The Relationship Between Sleep-Wake Disturbance and Pain in Cancer Patients Admitted to Hospice Home Care , Marjorie Acierno

Wheelchair Positioning and Pulmonary Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy , Lee Barks

Structural Equation Model of Exercise in Women Utilizing the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms and Social Cognitive Variables , Sarah Elizabeth Cobb

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Home > College of Nursing > Nursing Student Scholarship and Creative Works > Nursing Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nursing Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A collection of Nursing Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Racial Discrimination, Social Support and Psychological Distress among Black Pregnant Women , Camilla Carey

The Associations Among Racial Discrimination, Perceived Stress and Birth Satisfaction Among Black Women , Amanda de la Serna

A Digitally Enhanced Virtual Cognitive Behavior Skill Building Intervention to Reduce Parent Stress and Family Obesogenic Behaviors , Sharlene Smith

Mother-Father Relationship and Perceived Stress among Black Pregnant Women: A Mixed Methods Approach , Jenna Wheeler

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Nurse Managers' Patient Safety Communication , Christine Deatrick

Exploration of the Oral Microbiome in Non-Ventilated Hospitalized Patients , Kimberly Emery

Social Support and Empowerment Among Caregivers of Children with Asthma , Lauren Lebo

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Factors Associated with Resilience and Sense of Coherence in Adult Transgender Persons: Identifying Predictors to Reduce Health Disparities in a Vulnerable Population , Jake Bush

Cognitive Rehearsal, Self-efficacy, and Workplace Incivility Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students , Alina Diaz-Cruz

Survivors of Human Trafficking: Reintegration into the Community and Society , Charrita Ernewein

Remembering to Resume: Using Simulation-based Education to Teach Nursing Students to Manage Interruptions , Peggy Hill

First Impressions of the Bedside Nurse From the Patient Perspective , Sharon Imes

The Influences of Generational Membership and Practice Environment on Nurse Manager Job Satisfaction , Angela Keith

Knowledge and Attitudes of Nurse Practitioner's Assessment of Adults with Signs and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder , Kelli Lipscomb

Ethical Decision Making Among Nurses Participating in Social Media , Melissa Lynn

Hospital Readmission After Major Abdominal/Colorectal Surgeries: A Mixed-Methods Study , Ansu Sebastian

The Effect of the Medilepsy Mobile App on Medication Adherence and Transition Readiness in Adolescents and Young Adults with Epilepsy , Michelle Tall

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Access and Utilization of Prenatal Care in Florida and its Effects on Preterm Birth , Corinne Audette

Nurse-Physician Collaboration during Bedside Rounding: What is the Impact on the Nurse? , Martha Decesere

The Relationship of Cognitive Load and Different Participant Roles on Knowledge Retention in Simulation-based Learning Among Undergraduate Nursing Students , Amanda Houston

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Depth of Reflection and Perceptions of Self-Debriefing Following Virtual Simulation: A Multi-method Descriptive Study , Valorie MacKenna

Patients with a Left Ventricular Device and Factors Affecting Readmission , Diana Pitcher

Geographic Access to Community Mental Healthcare and Adherence to Treatment Among Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders , Marie Smith-East

The Effect of Acuity-based Nurse Staffing on Nursing Medication Errors , Egidius Maria Eugene Waterval

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Persistence of Physical Activity Among Veterans , Jean Davis

Factors Influencing Nurse Practitioners' Weight Management Practices in Primary Care , Suzanne Hyer

Evaluation of Postoperative Air Leak and Chest Tube Drainage Systems after Pulmonary Resection , Kristina Jacobsen

Stress, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Parental Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Dawn Turnage

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Understanding the Perceived Experiences of Goal Setting of Mothers of Preschool Children: A Narrative Analysis , Dawn Eckhoff

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Influences of Mindfulness and Neuromotor Exercise Mode on Balance in Healthy Older Adults , Maxine Hicks

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

An Evaluation of Anxiety Following Substance Abuse Withdrawal and Assessment of Somatic Treatments presently Available with a Focus on Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation , Janet Hutchison

Perceived readiness to transition to adult health care for youth with cystic fibrosis and congruence with their caregivers' views , Valerie Lapp

Evaluating Moral Distress, Moral Distress Residue and Moral Courage in Oncology Nurses , Lolita Melhado

Preschool Attendance: A Parental and Teacher Perspective of Barriers and Behaviors using Grounded Theory Research , Anne Meoli

Prehabilitation (Prehab): Prevention in Motion , Billie Russell

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Impact of Interruption Frequency on Nurses' Performance, Satisfaction, and Cognition During Patient-Controlled Analgesia Use in the Simulated Setting , Kristi Campoe

Perceived Social Support and Self-care in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure , Lyne Chamberlain

Rapid Response Teams versus Critical Care Outreach Teams: Unplanned Escalations in Care and Associated Outcomes , Valerie Danesh

The Impact of Relational Coordination and the Nurse on Patient Outcomes , Fanya DeJesus

Family Care Giver Knowledge, Patient Illness Characteristics, and Unplanned Hospital Admissions in Older Adults with Cancer , Patricia Geddie

Helping Mothers Defend their Decision to Breastfeed , Kandis Natoli

Nurse Managers, Work Environment Factors and Workplace Bullying , Joy Parchment

A Faith-Based Primary Diabetes Prevention Intervention for At-Risk Puerto Rican Adults: A Feasibility Study , Sylvia Torres-Thomas

Pre and Post Implementation Evaluation of an Emergency Department Severe Sepsis Alert and Practice Protocol , Darleen Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Factors Associated With Information Literacy Competencies Of The Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Student , Patricia Lafferty

Mobile Phone Short Message Service (SMS) to Improve Malaria Pharmacoadherence in Zambia , Elinda Steury

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Evaluation Of A Mind-body Website By Women With Breast Cancer , Laura Beck

Nutrition Literacy And Demographic Variables As Predictors Of Adolescent Weight Status In A Florida County , Leslee D'Amato-Kubiet

Ventilator-associated Complications In The Mechanically Ventilated Veteran , Joan Grano

The Early Postpartum Experience Of Previously Infertile Mothers , Sigrid Ladores

Early And Intermediate Hospital-to-home Transition Outcomes Of Older Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes , Jacqueline Lamanna

Improving Chronic Kidney Disease Care With Group Visits , Vicki Montoya

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

An Exploratory Study Of Physiologic Responses To A Passive Exercise Intervention In Mechanically-ventilated Critically Ill Adults , Christina M. Amidei

The Self-described Experience Of Coping And Adaptation Associated With Workplace Stress Of Registered Nurses In The Acute Care Setting In Florida: An Ethnographic Study , Joyce Burr

Predictors Of Immunosuppressant Adherence In Long-term Renal Transplant Recipients , Sandra J. Galura

Stressors Experienced By Emergency Department Registered Nurses At The Bedside: A Phenomenological Study , Stephen D. Heglund

Noncardiac Chest Pain: The Use Of High Resolution Manometry As A Diagnostic Tool , Iman Hilal

Infection Control And Health Care Associated Infection (hcai) In The Nursing Home: A Study To Determine The Impact Of An Educational Video And Pamphlet About Infection Control On Knowledge And Perception Of Hand Hygiene In Certified Nurse Assistants , Kathe Hypes

Barriers To Timely Administration Of Thrombolytics In Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients , Elizabeth Joseph

Development And Evaluation Of An Instrument To Measure Mother-infant Togetherness After Childbirth , Carol Lawrence

Perceptions Influencing School Nurse Practices To Prevent Childhood Obesity , Susan Quelly

Front-line Registered Nurse Job Satisfaction And Predictors: A Meta-analysis From 1980 - 2009 , Deborah Anne Saber

Impact Of Cancer-specific Advance Care Planning On Anxiety, Decisional Conflict, And Surrogate Understanding Of Patient Treatment Preferences , Lynn Waser

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Duplicated Laboratory Tests : A Hospital Audit And Evaluation Of A Computerized Alert Intervention , Sharon Bridges

Exploring Women's Life Course Experiences With Weight Using Story Theory , Poff Allison Edmonds

Adherence Practices Of Caucasian Women With Hypertension Residing In Rural Florida An Exploratory Study , Jeanne M. Hopple

The Lived Experience Of Young-onset Dementia , Debra A. Hunt

Identifying Patients At Risk For Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Primary Health Care : Can Obesity In Combination With Other High-risk Diagnoses Be Used For Screening Purposes? , Clelia Lima

Clopidogrel Provision For Indigent Patients With St-elevation Myocardial Infarction , Sita S. Price

Comparative Retrospective Analysis Assessment Of Extracellular Volume Excess In Hypertensive Hemodialysis Patients , Amma Serwaah-Bonsu

Spirituality And Expectations Of Care Providers Of Older Patients With Chronic Illnes In North Central Florida , Myra Sherman

Factors Related To Birth Transition Success Of Late-preterm Infants , Karen L. Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Experiences Of Health Care Providers Providing Comfort For Nursing Home Patients At The End Of Life , Herma Baker

Comparison Of Arnp And Physician Malpractice In States With And Without Controlled Substance Prescribing Authority , Deborah Chandler

A New Measure Of Parental Self-efficacy For Enacting Healthy Lifestyles In Their Children , Jonathan W. Decker

Effectiveness Of Probiotics In Preventing Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea And Clostridium Difficile In Long Term Care , Marva Edwards-Marshall

The Effect Of Combat Exercises On Cardiovascular Response: An Exploratory Study , MeLisa Gantt

The Impact Of Pre-operative Mupirocin Prophylaxis On Surgical Site Infections In Same-day Admission Open Heart Patients , Joanna Gerry

Evaluation Of A Simulation-enhanced Obstetric Clinical Experience On Learning Outcomes For Knowledge, Self-efficacy, And Transfer , Mary Elizabeth Guimond

The Incidence And Epidemiologic Factors Of Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin And Soft Tissue I , Ivonne Johnson

The Impact Of An Interdependent Conferencing Activity In An Online Rn-bsn Practicum Clinical Conference On Psychologocial Sense Of Community , Barbara Lange

Advanced Practice Nursing In The Faith Community Setting: A Case Study , Chianta Lindsey

Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Intraoperative Non-euglycemia Events In Premature Neonates >2500 Grams , Zulay Ritrosky

Retrospective Analysis Of Screening Patterns In Cirrhotic Patients With Heptocellular Carcinoma , Shelly-Ann Scott-Castell

A Phenomenological Description Of The Lived Experience Of Creating Art For Women With Breast Cancer , Laurie Stark

Assessing Adult Attitudes Toward End-of-life Issues And Advanced Directives After Implementing An Educational Intervention In A , Marchina Tolbert-Jones

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Cohort Study Of Pain Behaviors In The Elderly Residing In Skilled Nursing Care , Allison Burfield

Effects Of An Evidence-based Intervention On Stress And Coping Of Families Of Critically Ill Trauma Patients , Sandra Knapp

Awareness Of Increased Risk For Heart Disease And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus , Patricia Weinstein

Consumer Perspectives Of Health During Prenatal Care In The Usa And Iceland: An Exploratory Study , Claudia Wiseman

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

A Comparison Of Computer And Traditional Face-to-face Classroom Orientation For Beginning Critical Care Nurses , Patricia Anzalone

Health-care Seeking Behaviors Of Puerto Ricans With Diabetes Mellitus Who Live In South Florida: An Exploratory Study , Laura Gonzalez

Evaluation Of The Antecedents Of Cultural Competence , Mary Harper

The Impact Of A Nurse-driven Evidence-based Discharge Planning Protocol On Organizational Efficiency And Patient Satisfaction In , Tracey King

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Resiliency In Adolescent College Students , Nancy Ahern

The Impact Of Music On Postoperative Pain And Anxiety , Kelly Dixon Allred

Evaluation Of An Education Intervention For The Staff On The Head Of The Bed Elevation In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit , Randall Johnson

Quality Of Life In Older Breast Cancer Survivors , Victoria Loerzel

Evaluating Neonatal Facial Pain Expression: Is There A Primal Face Of Pain? , Martin Schiavenato

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

The Effect of Parent Education on Maternal Self-efficacy and Preference for Pain Control During Labor , Aubrey Willard

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Thesis/Non-Thesis Options

The M.S. in Nursing student selects, in consultation with and approval of the advisor, a program of study within an approved M.S. in Nursing specialty track.  The student should make an early decision regarding the thesis or non-thesis option.  Both options follow the guidelines of the Graduate School. The thesis option requires conducting a research study.  The non-thesis option requires taking a comprehensive examination in the semester the student expects to graduate. For either option, students must also complete a minimum of 30 graduate level semester credit hours to be eligible for graduation.

Thesis option

The student following the thesis option must complete the required number of hours in the program of study in a specialty track and write a thesis based on a completed research study.  The student’s advisor usually chairs the thesis committee and provides primary oversight of the student’s thesis research.  The format of the thesis must conform to requirements described in the Graduate School Guidelines for Preparing Theses, Dissertations, and D.M.A. Documents (Part III of the Graduate School Handbook), and students should consult the publication “Human Subject Program Guidelines” published by the university.  A copy of the final thesis must be submitted electronically as a PDF document to OhioLink, the Ohio Library and Information Network, the Graduate School, the student’s advisor, and the Student Affairs Office in the College of Nursing.  For further technical information concerning the thesis, students should contact Graduation Services in the Graduate School at 292-6031.

The student should gain approval from the advisor at all stages of the thesis.  The thesis is designed, implemented, and written by the student with the guidance of the thesis advisor; it is approved by the advisor and the M.S. in Nursing Thesis Examination Committee.  After the thesis is written, the student must submit copies of the complete, typed draft of the thesis and abstract to each member of his or her Thesis Examination Committee.  The draft of the thesis must be approved by the committee members before the student may schedule the oral defense of the thesis.

The oral defense is scheduled after all Thesis Examination Committee members have read the thesis.  The advisor is responsible for coordinating the oral defense according to the following guidelines:

• Only the Thesis Examination Committee members and the student attend the defense.
• The defense must be scheduled to meet the examination deadline set by the Graduate School.
• The defense is not to exceed two hours in length.
• The final decision is made in the absence of the student but is announced to the student prior to the end of the defense meeting.

If one or more Thesis Examination Committee faculty evaluate the defense as Unsatisfactory, the student fails the defense and is required to revise the thesis and to schedule a repeat defense meeting in compliance with the guidelines of the Graduate School and requirements of the Thesis Examination Committee. A second failure of the defense will result in dismissal from the M.S. in Nursing program. Additional information regarding Review and Appeal processes is located in the Graduate School Handbook.

• The advisor informs the student and the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Committee of the Thesis Examination Committee decision. Each committee member submits a grade for the student’s examination via gradforms.osu.edu.

Non-thesis option

The non-thesis option for a M.S. in Nursing student consists of a comprehensive examination that must include a written portion and may include an oral portion. The purpose of the comprehensive Master’s in Nursing examination is to test the ability of students to synthesize knowledge acquired throughout the course of nursing graduate study.  The written portion may be in the form of examination or a substantial paper or project appropriate to the discipline and consistent with best practices in the field. The oral portion, if scheduled, must take place during announced university business hours, Monday through Friday.

The following guidelines apply for the non-thesis (comprehensive examination) option:

• Students consult with their advisors to determine their readiness for the examination, areas to be included, and preparation.
• Students must take the exam the semester or summer session in which they graduate.  The exam is usually scheduled for around mid-semester. Students completing two specialties must take the comprehensive exam when they have completed both specialties.
• Examinations are scheduled by the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Chairperson who notifies students of the timing and other logistical arrangements for the examination.
• Areas of the examination address the content of required coursework based on questions developed by specialty track faculty.
• Where applicable and as included in examination instructions, students are expected to cite appropriate authors of major works in nursing and in students’ areas of specialization.
• All students must complete their examination by computer.
• The student’s advisor serves as the first reader of the Comprehensive Examination Committee. A second reader is recommended by the Specialty Track Director and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee Chairperson. The examination readers independently evaluate the examination. An oral component for the examination may be scheduled by the Comprehensive Examination Committee for the student to clarify written examination responses.
• If one or more Thesis Examination Committee faculty evaluate the defense as Unsatisfactory, the student fails the defense and is required to revise the thesis and to schedule a repeat defense meeting in compliance with the guidelines of the Graduate School and requirements of the Thesis Examination Committee. A second failure of the defense will result in dismissal from the M.S. in Nursing program. Additional information regarding Review and Appeals processes is located in the Graduate School Handbook.
• The advisor informs the student and the College of Nursing Graduate Studies Committee Chairperson of the decision of the Comprehensive Examination Committee decision. Each committee member submits a grade for the student’s examination via gradforms.osu.edu.

https://gradsch.osu.edu/completing-your-degree/dissertations-theses

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6.11: Writing a Thesis Statement

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 16544

• Lapum et al.
• Ryerson University (Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing) via Ryerson University Library

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Readers always want to know “What is the big idea?” Every type of non-fiction writing – from a short essay to a 10-page term paper to a lengthy thesis or dissertation– needs a controlling idea as a “spine” that holds the paper together (see Figure 6.6 ). Look at Table 6.3 : Topics and Thesis Statements for a comparison of topics and thesis statements.

Table 6.3: Topics and thesis statements: A comparison

Figure 6.6: Thesis skeleton

Begin by writing a working thesis statement. You will need this working thesis statement when you begin to outline and organize your assignment. As you continue to develop your paper, you can limit the working thesis statement if it is too broad or expand it if it proves too narrow for what you want to say. Each draft of the thesis statement will bring you closer to the exact wording that expresses your controlling idea.

Student Tip

The Controlling Idea

The controlling idea should be broader for a longer piece of writing than for a shorter piece of writing. Make sure the controlling idea is appropriate for the length of the assignment. How many pages it will take to explain and explore the controlling or main idea in detail? Be reasonable with your estimate. Then expand or trim the controlling or main idea to match the required length.

Attribution statement

Content from this page was remixed with our own original contented and adapted, with editorial changes, from:

Writing for Success 1st Canadian Edition by Tara Horkoff is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted. Download for free at: https://opentextbc.ca/writingforsuccess/

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Nursing essay thesis statement [+how to & examples], dr. wilson mn.

• August 11, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

This article provides information on thesis statement , structure, and style, as well as tips on how to write an effective nursing essay thesis statement and nursing essay thesis statement examples.

There are many different formats that you can use when writing nursing essays. Thesis statements, for example, will be at the beginning of your essay, while the body of your essay will contain details and examples supporting your thesis statement.

In order to ensure that your essay is well organized and flows from point to point, it is important to follow a specific structure.

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How to write a Thesis Statement in a nursing essay

Nursing essay writing format [Thesis, Structure]

A thesis statement is the most important part of your nursing essay . It should be a clear, concise, and compelling statement that outlines your main argument. It should also be based on research you have done and reflect your personal opinion. Follow these tips to help create a strong thesis statement for your nursing essay:

1. Start by identifying the problem you want to address. What problem do you think needs to be addressed in the nursing profession? For example, do nurses need more training in preventative care ? Do they need more support when caring for patients ? When writing about a problem that you haven’t personally experienced, it’s important to cite reliable sources that will help support your argument.

Read more on How to Start a Nursing Essay [Nursing Essay Introduction]

2. Be specific about the impact of this problem on nurses and patients . State how this problem has harmed nurses and patients in specific ways . For example, do nurses feel overloaded with work? Do they lack adequate resources to care for their patients effectively ? Be clear about the magnitude of the issue and how it impacts both nurses and patients.

3. Use evidence to back up your argument. Cite reliable sources that supports your thesis statement . For example, if you’re arguing that nurses need more training in preventative care , you can use research studies to back up this claim. Be sure to cite your sources so that readers can verify the information you are presenting.

4. Write in a clear and concise manner. Use specific examples and language to help illustrate your point. For example, rather than saying “Nurses need more support,” say “Nurses need more assistance from their superiors when caring for patients.” This will make your argument more clear and easier to understand.

5. Don’t be afraid to state your opinion. In fact, it’s important to do so. However, make sure that your opinion is based on evidence and research. Don’t simply state what you believe without backing it up with evidence or analysis.

here’s How to Conclude a nursing essay [Nursing Essay Conclusion + Examples]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples

A thesis statement is a concise, compelling statement of your argument. When writing an essay , you should choose a thesis statement that reflects your main arguments and supports your analysis. A good thesis statement will summarize the main points of your essay and introduce new ideas . The following are examples of effective thesis statements for nursing essays:nnNurses are in constant need of updated education in order to provide quality care to their patients .

There are three main types of thesis statements in nursing: descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive. Descriptive statements describe what has been observed or what is known about a certain subject. Explanatory statements explain how something works or why it exists. Persuasive statements engage the reader in your argument by showing how what you are saying is related to their own situation or experience.

Besides, you can use these 100+ Strong Persuasive Nursing Essay Topics Ideas [+Outline]

The following are examples of descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive thesis statements:

Descriptive Thesis Statement: Nursing is an important profession that helps people to maintain their health and extend their lives.

Explanatory Thesis Statement: Nursing plays an important role in the care of patients who are critically ill or who have serious injuries.

Persuasive Thesis Statement: Becoming a nurse is an excellent way to gain valuable experience that will help you to become a successful

Here are 210+ Current Nursing Essay Topics to write about [+Outline]

Nursing Essay Thesis Statement Examples 1

In this essay, I will discuss the importance of nursing , identify the essential skills and qualities necessary for success as a nurse, and provide an example of a powerful nursing thesis statement.

Here are four example thesis statements for nursing essays:

Nursing is an important career choice for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Nursing provides unique opportunities to develop personal relationships with patients and their families. Nursing is critically important to the health and well-being of the population . The nursing profession faces many challenges , but it has the potential to make a significant impact on society

Find out more on  How to write DNP capstone project Methodology Chapter ,  How to write a DNP Capstone Project Literature Review ,  How to write a DNP capstone project chapter 1 – Introduction , and  DNP Capstone project Abstract Examples [Outline & How-to]

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Best Master of Science in Nursing Degrees

Find a Master of Science in Nursing Program

Do I Have to Write a Thesis to Complete a Master’s Degree in Nursing?

Completing a thesis might seem like an expected part of the graduate school experience, but a Master’s thesis for a nursing degree isn’t always required. Many schools now give students the option to complete additional courses or elective work in lieu of a thesis. After completing your undergraduate degree and looking for graduate schools, consider whether you can devote a large amount of time in your last year towards working on a thesis. Picking a topic is only one part of the process.

What is a Thesis?

A thesis is a long paper or project that you complete as part of your studies. Most schools will also refer to the thesis as a capstone project or a final research project. Not all students complete a high amount of research and complete a long paper. Some students will work in a specific area of nursing, including pediatric nursing or critical care nursing. They use their experiences in the field to create a detailed account of how the field operates. Students may also research and develop a new operational method then attempt to implement it with the guidance of a doctor or nurse.

Thesis Topics for Nurses

There are thousands of topics that students can consider when completing a Master’s thesis for a nursing degree. Personal hygiene is a popular topic and may include studying the importance of proper hand washing among medical professionals, new methods of sanitizing equipment or the cleaning of an intensive care unit. Another popular choice is the study of stress and how stress can affect those working in hospitals or clinics.

Non-Thesis Route

The non-thesis route gives students the chance to graduate without completing a research project or paper. Some schools give students the option of taking additional courses in the nursing field, while other schools recommend that students take electives to compensate for the lack of a thesis. Many schools will also let students perform an internship or take one or more seminars instead of doing a thesis. Seminars delve deep into one area of nursing and culminate in a research paper that is shorter than a thesis, while an internship awards students course credit for working in the field.

Thesis or Non-Thesis?

Jeremy S. Hyman and Lynn F. Jacobs recommend that students pick a topic they have some familiarity with when writing a thesis. They point out that you can save time on research when you have preexisting knowledge. Even if you have some experience and knowledge, you might find that you can’t dedicate time to researching the topic and pulling together your thoughts in a paper. Other students work full-time jobs, which limit the time they have to implement a new idea in the field. Employers won’t necessarily ask if you did a thesis, but writing a thesis may help you get a leg up in some competitive areas of nursing.

Students often think that they must write a thesis to finish graduate school, but many schools and programs now offer other options. If you are looking for a program that offers options, check out the 20 Most Innovative Nursing Graduate Programs in the U.S.

Home > USC Columbia > Nursing, College of > Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Is There a Relationship Between Direct Patient Care Registered Nurses Emotional Intelligence and Patient Satisfaction? , James J. Leach

The Impact of Shift Work on Women’s Neurological Health , Kathy Nelson

Nurse Perceptions of Caring and Professional Governance , Lan Angela Nguyen

Unlocking Population-Specific Treatments to Render Equitable Approaches and Management in Cardiovascular Disease (UPSTREAM CVD): African American Emerging Adults , Shannon Bright Smith

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Among African American Men Living in the Rural South of the United States , Serge Raoul Wandji

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Unintended Consequences of the Electronic Health Record And Cognitive Load in Emergency Department Nurses , Carolyn S. Harmon

Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention Among Asian American Women , Jingxi Sheng

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Early Premature Infant Physiologic and Behavioral Indicators of ANS Instability , Karen Popp Becker

Nurses’ and Patients’ Perceptions of the Availability of Post-hospital Instrumental Support as a Predictor of 30- And 60-Day Acute Care Utilization , Beth E. Schultz

Race Is Not a Risk Factor: Examining the Influence of Models Of Care, Race, and Discrimination on Racial Disparities in Maternal Outcomes , Curisa Mae Tucker

Advancing Knowledge of Exercise as a Therapeutic Management Strategy for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Pamela J. Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Examining Caregiver Vigilance for Child Sexual Abuse , Kate K. Chappell

Exploring Turnover Among Nurse Managers, Directors, and Executives in Acute Care Hospitals , Deborah Hughes Warden

Psychometric Evaluation of Lung Cancer Stigma Among Lung Cancer Survivors in South Carolina , Lisa A. Webb

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Utilization Of The USDA Supertracker System In High Schools: A Quality Improvement Project , Twanda D. Addison

Online Risks, Sexual Behaviors, And Mobile Technology Use In Early Adolescent Children: Parental Awareness, Protective Practices, And Mediation , Kendra Allison

Implementation of a Depression Screening Tool for Cardiovascular Patients in the Primary Care Setting , Amber Nicole Ballentine

Forensic Patient Flow: An Imbalance Between Capacity And Demand , Versie J. Bellamy

An Evidence-Based Evaluation Tool To Assist Healthcare Providers In Their Assessment Of Effective mhealth Applications For The Management Of Chronic Health Conditions , Sara Belle Donevant

The Effect of a Compassion Fatigue Awareness and Self-Care Skills Educational Program on Retention Among Certified Nursing Assistants Working in a Veterans Nursing Home , Michele M. Dreher

Efficiency Of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Vs. 5-Day Serial Monitoring In A Military Treatment Facility , Kadijatu Kakay

Initiating the Loeb Criteria in Long-term Care , Janice Khauslender

High Fidelity Simulation Experience and Development of Clinical Judgment: Recent Graduate Nurses’ Reflections , Martha Kay Lawrence

Implementing a Surgical Pathway to Reduce Operating Room Cancellation Rates , Demerise Ott Minor

Home Exercise Therapy For The Treatment Of Knee Osteoarthritis , Kezia Nixon

Assessment Of An Educational Intervention To Increase Knowledge And Intention To Take HPV Vaccine And Cervical Cancer Screening In Nigeria , Chigozie Anastacia Nkwonta

Chemotherapy Knowledge And Health Literacy Among Women With Breast Cancer , Pearman deTreville Parker

Using Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheters In Difficult Access Patients , Courtney Prince

Initiating a Peer Support Program for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Richland and Lexington Counties , Danielle P. Simmons

Implementation Of Provider And Workflow Strategies To Increase Adherence To Tqip Guidelines In Traumatic Brain Injury , Regina Thompson

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Best Practice for Screening Adult Patients with Psoriasis for Polyautoimmunity: Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease , Susan Danielle Ashbaugh

Adherence of Nurse Practitioners to JNC 8 Guidelines , Stephanie E. Averette

Losing Weight with Five A’s (5 A’s): Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange framework and Motivational Interviewing (MI) for health behavior change counseling , Jacqueline Baer

A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce the Incidence of Clostridium difficile Infection through Implementation of Evidence-Based Terminal Clean Procedures , Tamara Cook

Tuberculosis Screening in New Healthcare Employees: A Comparison of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube Test and Tuberculin Skin Test , Mary C. Giovannetti

Utility of the Modified Early Warning System Score in Early Sepsis Identification , Lisa E. Hart

Picturing Rest: A Photovoice Study Of African American Women’s Perceptions And Practices Of Rest , Eboni T. Herbert Harris

Developing And Implementing A Quality Assurance Strategy For Electroconvulsive Therapy , Jessa Hollingsworth

Improving Leadership Communication In Nurse-Physician Dyad Teams , Lisa James

Assessment of Providers’ Perception and Knowledge of Overactive Bladder in Women: A Quality Improvement Project , Helen Wambui Ngigi

Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education in a Rural Setting , Ann D. Scott

An Evidence-Based Process Change to Improve Mammography Adherence , Tara E. Smalls

Evaluation, Treatment, and Education In The Hospice Setting By Initiating a Formalized Pain Card , Alyssa M. Soprano

Scribes Impact On Patient And Provider Experience In The Outpatient Setting , Kimberly A. Taylor

Barriers to the Use of Guardrails On IV Smart Pumps , Ivory Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Nursing Attitudes towards Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department: Assessment Interview Training , Belinda Beaver

MySleep101©: An Educational Mobile Medical Application for Sleep Health in Primary Care , Sonya Cook

Effects Of Sepsis Protocols On Health Outcomes Of Adult Patients With Sepsis , Monika U. Mróz

Multi-Symptom Management in Hospice Patients during End-of-Life Transition , Ashley N. B. Sirianni

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Best Practice for a Standardized and Safe Registered Nurse Shift Handoff , Nancy Rankin Ewing

An Evidence-Based Approach to Prepare Interdisciplinary Team Members for Implementation of the ABCDE Bundle , Jessica Murner Hamilton

Nurses Utilizing the V.O.I.C.E.S. HIV Prevention Intervention in the Black Church Community , Jason Richard

Unexpected and Interrupted Transitions Among Newly Licensed Registered Nurses: Perspectives of Nurse Managers and Preceptors , Sheri S. Webster

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Best Practice for Antipsychotic Medication Management in Community Dwelling Older Adults with Schizophrenia , Estelle Marie Brown

The Effects of Multiple Gratitude Interventions Among Informal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease , Cristy DeGregory

An Analysis of Interpreter-Mediated Healthcare Interactions , Robin Dawson Estrada

Quality Improvement Project: A Comparison of Daily Routine Chest Radiography Versus Clinically-Indicated Chest Radiography in Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adult ICU Patients on Ventilators: An Evidenced Based Practice Project , Kimberly McKenney

Best Practices in High Fidelity Patient Simulation to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills , Kathryn S. Mock

Best Practices in the Management of Pediatric Obesity in Primary Care Clinics , Lori Moseley

Early Screening and Identification of Preschool Children Affected by Serious Emotional Disorders , Cathy Renee Robey-Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Improving the Diagnostic Accuracy of Failure-to-Rescue , Amelia Marie Joseph

Best Practice Guideline For Managing Interstitial Cystitis In Adult Women , Amanda Thomas Langford

The Use of Ultrasound as an Adjunct to X-Ray For the Localization and Removal of Soft Tissue Foreign Bodies in an Urgent Care Setting , Stacy Lane Merritt

Prevention of Skin Breakdown In the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit , Lydia H. Palmer

A Pilot Intervention To Engage Nurses To Lead Transformation of The Workplace , Molly Patton

Foot Assessment In the Dialysis Unit , Karen Robertson

Emergency Department Triage Acuity Ratings: Embedding Esi Into the Electronic Medical Record , Candace Whitfield

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Best Practice to Promote Bone Health in Post-menopausal Women through Adequate Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D , Ellen Soley Adkins

Developing A Facilitated Pathway For Associate Degree Nursing Graduates to Enroll In An Rn-Bsn Program , Christy Vansant Cimineri

Pursuing Improved Quality of Life In the Atrial Fibrillation Population: Evidence-Based Practice , Jamie Hayes Cunningham

Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in Comparison to Subcutaneous Insulin Injections in the Preschooler with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus , Meredith D'Agostino

Transition to Motherhood-A Qualitative Study of Low Income Women's First Term Pregnancy Experiences , Lisa Bennett Duggan

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation For Prevention of Falls and Fractures In Older Adults , Cynthia Hartman

The Best Practice Guideline for Early Detection and Treatment of Heart Disease In Asymptomatic Adults with a Family History of Premature Coronary Artery Disease , Stephanie Brooke Huston

Best Practice Protocol for Patients with Schizophrenia and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders , Shauna Rae Jones

Transcultural Nursing Clinical Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature Since 2005 With Recommendations for International Immersion Clinical Courses , Deborah J. McQuilkin

Using a Consensus Process to Develop an Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for School Exclusion For Head Lice (Pediculosis Capitis) , Michelle Lorraine Myer

Using Therapeutic Writing to Deconstruct Recovery from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , Pamela Phillips

Improving Outcomes by Improving Practice: Evidence-Based Assessment, Prevention and Documentation of Pressure Ulcers In the ICU. , Kristy Fry Speronis

Increasing Awareness of Fertility Preservation Options in Cancer Patients & Survivors , Norma Sweet

Identification, Prevention and Treatment of Children with Decreased Bone Density , Laura Lee Szadek

Assessment and Strategic Planning to Determine the Growth Feasibility of a Distance-Based Rural Baccalaureate Nursing Program , Amber Proctor Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

A Research Utilization Project: Implementation of an Evidence-Based Behavioral Treatment for Students At-Risk of Dropout at Richland Northeast High School , Kathrene Carter Berger

The Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 On the Evidence Based Practice of Distributive Justice Via Comfort Care In Elderly Burn Trauma Victims , Christina Pacileo Blottner

Parenting Interventions For Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence , Christie Michelle Furr-Roeske

Nurse State Legislators: The Journey to State Capitols , Debbie Whitman Herman

Autonomous Nurse Practitioner Practice: A Position Paper and Action Plan for Change , Patricia Susan Noser

Best Practices in The Use of Vena Cava Filters oo Prevent Pulmonary Emboli in Trauma Patients , Dennis Absher Taylor

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Assessment and Identification of Deliberate Self-Harm in the Adolescent and Young Adult Patient in the Primary Care Population , Courtney Brooks Catledge

A Best Practice Guideline for Screening and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency in a Primary Care Setting: Moving Beyond the Bones , Amy Jeanette Clark

Best Faculty Practice Plan Model for a Small College of Nursing , Sharyn Neiman Conrad

Impact of A Primary Care-Based Organ Donation Practice Initiative On Individual Willingness to Donate , Cyndi B. Faudree

Substance Abuse Treatment Avoidance, Length of Stay, and Criminal Justice Referral For Women of Reproductive Age In South Carolina Prior to and After theWhitner Decision (1993 to 2007) , Sarah J. Gareau

Childhood Obesity and School-Based Interventions: An Evidence-Based Best Practice Guideline , Jessica Guyton

The Best Practice Guideline For theTreatment of Pediatric Diaper Dermatitis , Kate Hansson Mack

A Church-Based Health Promotion Program for Older Adults: Impacts on Participants' Religiosity, Spirituality, and Social Support , Katherine Holland Pope

Dedicated Education Units: Dothey Improve Student Satisfaction? , Eileene Elizabeth Shake

Recommendation For A Best Practice Model of Hiv Management by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses In Primary Care Settings , Sabra Smith

Exploration of the Evidence to Support Clinical Practice to Decrease Hospital Readmission Rates For Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis , Shannon Bright Smith

Best Practices: Retaining Registered Nurses , Jessica Epps Wilkes

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Home > Nursing > Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Reduction Of Unnecessary Emergency Department Visits Through An Ed-Initiated Advanced Care Program For Vulnerable Patients , Dr. M. Dustin Bass

Implementing Prediabetes Screening During Hospitalization In An Internal Medicine Unit , Roxana Bustamante

Harnessing Family Empowerment To Promote Healthcare Transition For Youth With Special Healthcare Needs: The F.a.m.e. Project , Vanessa Coppola

Implementing A Workload Tool To Increase Float Nurses' Job Satisfaction And Reduce Intent To Leave The Workplace , Lisa Czaplinski

Shifting The Paradigm Toward Intent To Stay: Creating A Nurse Career Crafting Program To Increase Nurse Engagement In An Urban Teaching Hospital , Jaclyn Davis

Achieving Success[ion] In Healthcare Leadership: Building An Immersive Nurse Manager Residency Program , Natalie Marie Fucito

Enhancing Self-Efficacy Of Novice And Emerging Nurse Leaders Through A Virtual Emotional Intelligence Education Program , Josephine C. C. Garcesa-Duque

A Project To Improve Advanced Practice Provider Financial Metrics Through A Practice Management Program , Stefanie Anne Generao

Increasing Transplant Medication Knowledge Through Implementation Of A Medication Education Intervention Algorithm , Colleen Chime Karkhang

Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Analgesia: Increasing Regimen Adherence In Minimally Invasive Abdominal Surgery , Panicha F. Kittipha

Evaluating The Use Of Reflective Practice Principles To Support Nurse Manager Well-Being During A Period Of Chronic Distress , Amy A. Martone

Implementing A Prediabetes Screening Algorithm To Improve Identification And Referrals In Primary Care , Katherine Masoud

Addressing Social Needs And Creating Community Linkage Pathways For Vulnerable Populations In Primary Care Practice Settings , Mindy Marie Matthews

Improving Treatment Outcomes For American Indians With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Through The Use Of Telepsychaitry , Shaylice Meserole

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening And Sleep Specialist Referral In Outpatient Psychiatric Populations , Jeremy Michael Mills

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Stigma, Discrimination, And Sleep Among Those On Medication For Opioid Use Disorder , Uzoji Nwanaji-Enwerem

Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates For Copd Patients: A Care Standardization & Quality Improvement Project , Oana Raluca Randolph

The Adaptation And Implementation Of A Comprehensive Retirement Transition Program For Members Of Law Enforcement , Renee White

Development Of An Educational Program To Elevate The Financial Cumen Of Nurse Managers , Quyen Wong

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Nurses, Politics And Policy: Moving A Critical Initiative Forward Through Education, Inspiration And Motivation For Political Activity , Elizabeth Clark

Assessing Risk For Right Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation , Mary-Ann Lombardi Cyr

A Nurse-Driven Protocol To Increase Metabolic Screening And Interventions For Inpatients On Antipsychotic Medications , James Thomas Demarco

Creating A Welcoming, Inclusive, And Affirming Primary Care Environment For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex And Asexual Patients , Samantha Korbey

Retention Of The Newly Licensed Registered Nursing Workforce Post-Coronavirus (covid-19): Establishing A Trauma-Informed Wellness Program, The Registered Nurse Residency Script For The Future (rnrx) (© Maryellen Hope Kosturko, 2022) , Maryellen Hope Kosturko

Sepsis Discharge Program: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Reduce Sepsis Readmissions , Rex Daniel Demetria Lomboy

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Home > Colleges & Schools > School of Nursing > Nursing > NURSING_GRAD

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

THE PERCEPTIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA, CARE PARTNERS, CNAs/SITTERS, AND PROVIDERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC UP TO NOW: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY , Gaudensia Awuor

Commitment to Collaboration: Development of a School Nursing Collaboration Instrument , Jodi S. Bullard

A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study Comparing Rural and Nonrural Critical Illness Survivors , Rebecca Greene

Resilience, Moral Courage, and Leadership Self-Efficacy Among Nurses , Deborah V. Haney

THE IMPACT OF RACE/ETHNICITY ON OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN EAST TEXAS CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS , Jackie Schniederjan McDonald

Modifiable health disparities and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers: A meta-analysis , Cindy Mendez

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED STRESS AND ACADEMIC SELF-EFFICACY TO THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS , Ashley J. Pierre

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAMWORK, INTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION, AND INTERPROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP , Kathleen M. Cox

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN NURSING CURRICULA: DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMULATION-BASED EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE HEALTH PROFESSIONS , Heather Guest

Nursing Students' Moral Courage Development Through Incivility Simulation Education , Melissa Madden

A Mixed Methods Study of Cultural Competence Among Nursing Students in Kenya , Sylvia Waweru

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

INFLUENCE OF RESILIENCE, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND TEAMWORK ON REGISTERED NURSE CIRCULATOR INTENT TO LEAVE , Mary Alice Anderson

Focused Ethnography: Storytelling for Hispanics with Low Health Literacy and Diabetes , Virginia H. Cadenhead

Relationship of Undergraduate Nursing Students' Emotional Intelligence and other Factors to ATI-NCLEX-RN Comprehensive Predictor Examination Performance , Sarah Y. Jimenez

DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL HUMILITY AND ETHNOCULTURAL EMPATHY IN NURSING STUDENTS , Claudia Keck

ASPECTS OF THE PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT AND NURSING WORK , Yolanda Keys

Birth Practice Beliefs of Undergraduate Nursing Students , Cassandra Sharelle Land

ASSESSING TRANSGENDER INCLUSION WITHIN A VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: A DELPHI STUDY , Kathy-Jo B. Lee

Use of Standardized Test Results by Faculty and Students for Advanced Practice Nurse Certification Success , Dinorah Martinez-Anderson

Impact of Theory-Based Interventions on Meaningfulness of Undergraduate Nursing Pharmacology Student Learning , Betsy L. Mauldin

A Mixed-Methods Approach to Investigating the Influence of Education on Nurses’ Attitudes toward Sex Trafficking Victims , Tabitha McDaniel

Predicting Infection-Related Organ Failure: Expansion of SOFA Algorithm to Include Nursing Documentation , Tanna L. Nelson

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

UNDERSTANDING END-OF-LIFE CARE EXPERIENCES OF BACCALAUREATE MEXICAN AMERICAN NURSING STUDENTS: AN INTERPRETIVE PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY , Shalla M. Copeland

Patients' Disclosure of Sexual and Gender Minority Status: A Comparative, Multiple Case Study , Damon B. Cottrell

Effects of an Online Mindfulness Program on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Coping among Undergraduate Second-Year Nursing Students , Hollis Franco

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• Writer's Handbook - UW Madison
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• Thesis Statements - UNC Chapel Hill A short tutorial dealing with what a thesis statement is, how to make a thesis statement, and how to know if a thesis statement is strong. It also includes several examples.
• Developing a Thesis - Harvard Detailed tips about constructing a good thesis, with annotated examples of good and bad thesis statements.

Why the Thesis Statement Is Backwards

Why the thesis statement is backwards.

by Natalya Zielnicki at windyconditions.net

I used to hate the phrase, “thesis statement.” In English and writing classes, it was a vague, overly-emphasized concept that stuck out in my humanities education like a sore thumb. I loathed assignments bidding my classmates and me to, “write a thesis statement,” and answer “what’s your paper’s thesis?” before setting out to do any research on the topic!

And for whatever reason, in spite of all the weight placed on this holy grail entrusted to young writers, I simply did not understand its importance. I would try to find a thesis — set out to prove that “Wilbur was highly humble until Charlotte wrote on her web, ‘Some Pig’” before finishing Charlotte’s Web . After “finding” my thesis I would sit in front of my computer, straining from word constipation until last minute panic hit me and I would write some awful paragraphs “supporting” my statement at the end of the first paragraph in an essay. This method was great at scraping me A-s, with occasional As or B+s on most papers…but it left me resenting writing. Drained of any creativity in the confines of writing a “thesis statement” every few weeks, I tried to avoid as many humanities classes as I could by taking more math classes.

Then, a wonderful kick in the face occurred during a few upper level math classes, which invariably taught me to write. Once you hit a few upper level math classes such as Analysis, a student will be asked to write a math proof. Sometimes the question is not put in the easiest way; assignments usually read, “is this statement true or false? Either find a counterexample or give a proof of this statement.” Oh, how I loathed such questions, where there was no black-and-white way to solve something!

But then, after many hours and sleepless nights, proof-writing started clicking , and my mind was molded into way of thinking that started trickling into many applications. Proof-writing is a wonderfully fulfilling process; it involves the creative steps of exploring, questioning, and then — once all the steps are laid out nicely in front of you — you neatly summarize it in plain English.

Consider, for example, the following proof from an old Number Theory homework set. Notice how no sentence is wasted; each explored step takes me closer and closer to the conclusion we make in our “proof” statement:

And this is how I learned how to write. I learned that writing is a logical proof: you explore, experiment, and each sentence becomes one step closer to the insightful conclusion you are about to make. That conclusion is your thesis. Don’t set out to prove a thesis first; as you think, experiment until you prove your newfound thesis. Similar to the above proof, the thesis statement isn’t meant to be some clean sentence at the end of the first paragraph of your five-paragraph paper. Instead, it is this polished result that you obtain by getting your hands dirty, and then unraveling it out until finally — you have it, in one beautiful statement or two. As you explore your topic, you venture into the unknown, and with each logical step and creative measure, you have pulled from the dredges of the unknown something that you and your readers will love and appreciate for all its glory. I guarantee it.

Sure, this method takes a little more research and thought than a nicely packaged handout that your teachers would like to show. But trust me, if you prod it, if you polish and polish some more, if you really put some thought into each paper and sentence you write, that thesis will shine. And you will soar in all your writing assignments from hereon out.

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Home > ACADEMIC-UNITS > College of Health Sciences > School of Nursing > NURSING-MSN

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

Theses/projects from 2023 2023.

Effects of Nurse-Led Hemodialysis Education Intervention on Hospital Readmission Rates , Kristi L. Keller

Operating Room Efficiency: Time is Money , Hannah Leonard

Theses/Projects from 2022 2022

Proposal for a Formal Pediatric Abuse Screening Tool for the Emergency Department , Christina Bolin

Patient Satisfaction , Amber Bowman

Implementing Rapid Response and Medical Emergency Simulation Training for Medical-Surgical Nurses , Brandon Burnett

Reducing Observation Unit Length of Stay Hours: A Quality Improvement Project , Rena D. Cantrell

Hand Hygiene Compliance in Nursing Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities , Lindsay Clontz

Increasing Patient Initial Visit Compliance in an Outpatient Setting , Zackery Cooper

Reducing the Number of Patients Leaving Before Evaluation From the Emergency Department , Myranda Dills

Smoking Cessation: A Nurse-Led Approach to Address Gaps in Patient Care , Katie L. Durham

Fluid State and Diet Control in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury on Hemodialysis , Carolyn Evans-Howard

Promoting Organ Donation Among Adults , Susan Hammitt

The Struggle to Alleviate Nurse Burnout , Shawn Harmon

A Day in the Life of a Hospital Bedside Nurse: A Different Look at Nurse Stressors , Angela R. Higdon

Case Manager Discharge Planning for Safe Discharge of Homeless Patients , Melody Jenkins

Medication Reconciliation: Protecting the Geriatric Population , Charles Jennings

Promoting Alternative and Evidence-Supported Birthing Options in Healthcare Facilities , Ashley Johnson Ross

Combating the Challenge of Maintaining Active-Duty Military Medical Force Readiness , Thomas Jones

Reducing the Use of Physical Restraints of the Elderly in the Acute Care Setting , Rachael Malone

The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Initiated in the Operating Room , Katina Miller

Perceived Effects of COVID-19 on K-5 Educators and Learners , Fairbee Mintz

Improving Communication Skills of New Graduate Nurses: Using SBAR Format , Meredith LyAnne Parker

Bedside Reporting , Morgan Sanford

Reduce Nurse Burnout During COVID-19: Implementation of the STOP Method , Heather Smallwood

Prevention of Infection During Hemodialysis Treatment Initiation , Jessica Stroupe

Theses/Projects from 2021 2021

Faculty Perception of Student Nurse Compassion Post-Simulation Experiences , Lisa Alley

Incivility in Nursing , Amanda Woodie Barnes

Electronic Medical Records and the Lost Art of Nursing , Tonya Blackwell

Yearly Endometriosis Education for Reproductive Nurses , Jessica Boyer

Utilization of HIV Care Coordination Programs to Address Gaps in Care , Jessica Chavis

Implementation of Obstetric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (OB ERAS) Protocol: Prenatally Through Transition To Community , Emily Corbett

The Impact of an Employee Action Program on Staff Accountability and Nursing Retention , Amber Crouse

Improving Effective Communication During a Pandemic , Stephanie Brooke Greene

Trauma Admission Guidelines for Elderly Isolated Orthopedic Injuries , Jessica Lauren Hamrick-Welchel

Wound Nurse Specialists’ Pressure Injury Knowledge and Specialty Support Surface Preferences , Catherine Koutroumpis

Nursing Attitudes to Hospice Care in the Intensive Care Unit , Claudia LaCivita

Working through a Virtual Reality: Empowering Experienced Nurses through Hybrid Orientation Programs , Latoria Massey

Improving Nursing Practice for Perinatal Mood Disorders , Tonya May

Perception of Health Literacy Levels Among Nurses in Clinical Settings , Chelsea L. Oxendine

Grieving Nurses' Need for Support , Tammy Patterson

Pandemic Recovery in Nursing: Labor Shortage and Financial Devastation , Rebecca Rogers

Crisis Redeployment: An Evidence-Based Plan for Nursing , Lauren Setzer

Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using the Self Care Deficit Theory , Katherine DeCillis Taylor

Leadership Role in Decreasing Nurse Turnover , Gwynne Turney

Bullying in Nursing , Amanda Vargas

Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring: Understanding Misutilization and How to Ameliorate , Stanley Yeargin

Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Psychiatric Nursing as a Career Choice , Sharon Zurline

Theses/Projects from 2020 2020

Front-Line Nurse Manager Succession Planning: Building and Promoting Strong Nurse Leaders Through Implementation of a Nurse Manager Development Program , Melany Boyd

Improving the Relationship between Emergency Nurses and the Behavioral Health Patient , Alea Bundy

Health Care Provider’s Perspectives of a Woman’s Quality of Life Facing Endometriosis and Infertility , Bridget Ford

Debriefing Emergency Department Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Jessica Hailstock

Shared Governance Council: Improving Staff and Patient Satisfaction , Haley O'Brien Hall

New Nurse Graduate Mentoring: An Early Implementation Program , Stacy Inman

Proposal of the Need for Mental Health First Aid Training of Associate Degree Nursing Faculty in a Community College Setting , Amy Kelly

Clinical Grading Rubric and Interrater Reliability , Stephanie F. Lunsford

Correlational Impact of Workload, Teamwork and Retention Rate for Clinical Nursing Units , Phillip J. Nutter

Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders in the High School System: A Community Program Project , Dara Puryear

Communication within the Perioperative Department , Leah Quinn

Gratitude Journaling as Intervention to Combat Nurse Burnout in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Nurses , Melinda Simpson

Preparing the Nurse Aide I Student for the Workplace: Combating Burnout and Compassion Fatigue , Patrice Staley

Postpartum Depression in Military Mothers:Active Duty and Partners of Active Duty Service Members , Amanda Willis

Reducing Nurses' Communication Anxiety During End of Life Care , Susan Dunbar Wolfrom

Community Outreach and Education Project: Hepatitis A and B Vaccines in High Risk Populations , Ellen Wright

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Nursing Theses and Dissertations

This collection contains theses and dissertations from the Department of Nursing, collected from the Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations from 2024 2024

Sex Differences in Coping Strategies, Infertility-Related Stress, and Predictors of Infertility-Related Stress among Saudi Men and Women Attending Infertility Clinics , Hayat Abdullah Algamadi

Exploring Parental Vaccine Decision Making: A Mixed Methods Study , Sarah A. Ashfield

The Experience of Postpartum Care Practices among Parent and Healthcare Providers in Canada: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis , Andrea Atkinson

Exploring Student Experiences of Interprofessional Simulation Education , Jonathan Barrios

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Nurse-Hero Discussion on Twitter: A Social Network Analysis and Qualitative Content Analysis , Amna Ali

The impact of Authentic Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Psychological Empowerment, Interpersonal Conflict, and Job Satisfaction on Turnover Intention among Early Career Nurses in Saudi Arabia. , Ohood Ali Alkaabi miss

The Process of Art Creation Among Mothers from Ontario Who Have Experienced Gender-Based Violence , Madison L. Broadbent

Exploring How Mothers With A History Of Intimate Partner Violence Experienced The COVID-19 Pandemic , Emma Jane Butler

Nurse-Assisted Injection: Perceptions of Dependent Injectors in Ontario, Canada , Emelia C. Cormack

Exploring the Role of the Nurse in Supporting Breastfeeding among Indigenous Women in Canada: A Scoping Review of the Literature , Lindsey Corrigan

The Experiences of Clinical Placement Belonging Among Nursing Students with Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Identities: An Interpretive Descriptive Study , Connor J. Gould

Nurses’ and Midwives’ Lived Experiences as Mentees in a Clinical Mentorship Program in Rwanda: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study , Yvonne Kasine 2399948

Uncovering the Experience of Determining Readiness to Increase Self-Management Responsibility in Canadian Adolescents Living with Type 1 Diabetes , Kelly A. Kennedy

Exploring Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Through A Serious Gaming-Enabled Digital Simulation , Stephanie Kennedy Miss

The Development, Refinement, Implementation, and Impact of a Nurse-Led Health Coaching Self-Care Management Intervention for Heart Failure , Maureen Leyser

Relational Variables Impacting the Healthcare Team , Linda J. MacDougall Ms

Exploring Family Members’ Beliefs and Experiences of Supporting Relatives with Substance Use and Misuse within Black Communities , Esther N. Monari

An Exploration of the Culturally-Rooted Meaning and Consequences of Unintended Adolescent Pregnancy in Rwanda: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective , Jean Pierre Ndayisenga

Exploring how the Perinatal Services of Primary Health Care Settings in Rwanda Support Adolescent Mothers to Inform the Delivery of Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care: An Interpretive Description , Aimable NKURUNZIZA

Bridging the Gap: Canadian Health Care Providers Perspectives' of Harm Reduction and Substance Use Education in Hospital , Leanne Scott

Intimate Partner Violence, Social Support, Mastery, and Mental Health , Alice Pearl Sedziafa

A Picture of Spirituality in Youth Living with Bipolar Disorder , Michelle S. Solomon

Decentering Whiteness in Nursing Education: The Pitfalls, Tensions, and Opportunities , Ivy Tran

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Exploring Health Inequities: Head Injuries in People Experiencing Homelessness , Emily M. Angus

Women’s Priorities and Actions Mothering in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence , Sharon Broughton

Toward Understanding Culturally Safe Health Care for Transgender People: A Scoping Review of Health Care Provider Knowledge , Terrie Butler-Foster

Forming Authentic and Purposeful Relationships with Racialized Communities from an Anti-Oppressive Lens: A Framework for African, Caribbean, and Black Communities , Jaimeson R. Canie

Clinical Virtual Simulation: A Qualitative Usability Study , Samantha Beatrice Cooke

Predictors and Outcomes of Patient Stigma Perception Appraisal: Developing and Testing of a Dynamic Stigma Model of Mental Illness , Sebastian Kwadwo Gyamfi

Women’s Experiences of Accessing Breastfeeding and Perinatal Health Support in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: An Interpretive Description Study , Samantha Larose

"Pain is What the Patient Says it is": A Secondary Analysis of Nurses’ Reflections on the Term Pain Catastrophizing , Riana Longo

An Exploration of Non-Urgent Emergency Department Use from the Patient and Health Care Professional Perspective , Amanda McIntyre

Self-management Experience of Nurses Living with Migraine: A Qualitative Study , Marionette Ngole Dione

Host Organizations' Perspectives of Partnered Global Study-Abroad Programs , Jessica C. Pop

The Effect of Interprofessional Conflict Resolution on Interprofessional Collaborative Practice among Health Care Provider Teams in Hospitals , Sibylle Ugirase

Teaching Family Planning in Nursing and Midwifery Schools: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study , Pauline Uwajeneza

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Syrian Refugee Women's Experiences with the Ontario Health Care System: A Critical Ethnography Study , Areej Al-Hamad

The Influence of Authentic Leadership on Nurses’ Turnover Intentions and Satisfaction with Quality of Care in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study , Bayan Alilyyani

Understanding the Current State of Health Information Exchange in Long-Term Care Homes , Kendra R. Cotton

Relationships among Interactional and Organizational Factors with Healthcare Provider Outcomes Post-Implementation of an Interprofessional Model of Patient Care , Wendy L. Ellis

Chronic Disease Management in a Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic: An Interpretive Description Study , Natalie Floriancic

Understanding the Lived Experience of Health Through the Exploration of Well-being of Women with Multiple Sclerosis in Southwestern Ontario , Jennifer Howard

"Healthcare Heroes" - The Change in Perceptions of Nurses' Roles During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Discourse Analysis , Stephanie Jones

The Discursive Construction of Substance Use and Harm Reduction in Canadian Health Policy , Sibel Kusdemir

Nurses' and Nurse Educators' Experiences of a Pediatric Nursing Continuing Professional Development program in Rwanda , Amy K. Olson

Health Providers Perspectives on the Access and Use of Formal Health and Social Services by Stroke Caregivers , Hannah Pollock

The Effect of Authentic Leadership and New Graduate Support on New Graduate Nurses' Job Satisfaction , Stephanie H. Prtenjaca

Reddit and Nursing During Covid-19: A Summative Content Analysis , Julia C. Savin

Being a Child Bride in Nigeria: A Feminist Narrative Inquiry , Olubukola Foluke Sonibare

New Graduate Nurses’ Experiences of Engaging in a Leadership Role in Hospital Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Justine Jeanelle Ting

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Interprofessional Role Clarification Among Licensed Health Care Practitioners in Rural and Smaller Community Hospitals , Dianne E. Allen

Exploring Nursing Student Use of Instagram: Selfies and Soliloquies and #becominganurse with Evolving Digital Footprints , Kingsley KS Au

The Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Symptoms Among Adult Women: Systematic Review , Ohud Shawqi Banjar

Exploring the Relationships Among New Graduate Nurses’ Structural Empowerment, Psychological Empowerment, Work Engagement, and Clinical Nurse Educator Leadership in Acute Care Settings , Carly Blair

Caring Revisited: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis on the Association of Caring with the Profession of Nursing , Margot Boulton

Optimization of Simulated Electronic Medication Administration for Safe Management During Nursing Education , Laura Brennan

Leader Empowering Behaviour as a Predictor of Nurse and Patient Outcomes , Karen Cziraki

The Effect of Authentic Leadership on New Graduate Nurses’ Organizational Identification, Trust in the Manager, Patient Safety Climate, and Willingness to Report Errors , Fatmah Fallatah

Unit Managers’ Authentic Leadership, Staff Nurses’ Work Attitudes and Behaviours, and Outcomes of Care: A Structural Equation Model , Lisa M. Giallonardo

Developing and Evaluating the Integrated Addiction Recovery Model for the Persons' Engagement and Retention in the Recovery Process Among Clinical Populations from Rwanda , Boniface Harerimana

Developing Competencies for Public Policy Advocacy: A Comparative Case Analysis , Amy L. Lewis

Prematurity, Socioeconomic Status, And Childhood Asthma: A Canadian Cohort Study , Crystal P. McLeod

Patient Roles within Interprofessional Collaborative Patient-Centred Care Teams: The Patient and Health Care Provider Perspectives , Kateryna Metersky

Nurses' and Midwives' Experiences as Mentors in a Clinical Mentorship Program in Rwanda , Marie Chantal Murekatete

Examining the Impact of Social Media on Youth Self-Perceived Mental Health , Chantal Singh

Exploring Mental Health, Physical Health, and Affective Commitment in Acute Care Oncology Nurses in Ontario , Lesley M. Smith

Women’s Experience of Obtaining Health and Social Services following Intimate Partner Violence: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Relationships in Rural Communities , Emily E. Soares

Values, Assumptions, Behaviours, and Practices Influencing the Professional Development of Nursing Students Within Acute Care Practice Environments in Rwanda: A Focused Ethnographic Study , Benoite Umubyeyi

A study of job satisfaction and turnover intention among acute care nurses working in rural and urban settings , Yasin Yasin

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Understanding the Lived Experiences of Saudi Students Enrolled in Canadian Graduate Nursing Programs , Aisha Namshan Aldawsari

Pathways to Homelessness: Exploring the Mental Health Experiences of Refugees Experiencing Homelessness in Canada , Bridget Annor

Breastfeeding Experiences of African Migrant Women in Developed Countries: A Qualitative Systematic Review. , Odinaka Ogoegbunam Anunike

Sociocultural Factors Affecting Mental Health Service Utilization by African Newcomer Women Following Childbirth in Canada , Deborah Baiden

Registered Nurses’ Perceptions of the Electronic Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale in a Community Hospital , Andrea de Jong

New Graduate Nurses: Relationships among Sex, Empowerment, Workplace Bullying, and Job Turnover Intention , Aaron L. Favaro

Women’s Experiences Receiving Humanitarian Aid , Aden M. Hamza

Registered Nurses' Intention To Use Electronic Documentation Systems: A Mixed Methods Study , Sarah Ibrahim

Exploring the Mental Health Care Experiences of Youth Transitioning from Paediatric to Adult Psychiatric Services Using the Photovoice Method: A Participatory Analysis of the PhotoSTREAM Project , Brianna Jackson

An exploration of how persons requiring hemodialysis treatment explain the ways in which access to transportation for such treatment influences their overall health. , Navpreet Kamboj

Exploring the Characteristics and Behaviours of Nurses Who Have Attained Microcelebrity Status on Instagram , Hanna Kerr

Collaborative Self-Management and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Integrating Patient Needs into an Educational Program for Nurses , Loretta G. McCormick RN (EC)

Assessing the Impact of Mentorship on Rwandan Nurses’ and Midwives’ Knowledge and Self-Efficacy in Managing Postpartum Hemorrhage , Marie Grace Sandra Musabwasoni

Nurse and Midwife Educators' Experiences of Translating Teaching Methodology Knowledge into Practice in Rwanda , Jean Pierre Ndayisenga

Exploration of Knowledge and Skills Development among Community Health Workers in Rwanda , Schadrack Ngabonziza

Assessing Changes in Knowledge about and Self-efficacy for Neonatal Resuscitation Among Rwandan Nurses and Midwives after a Mentorship Process , Gerard Nyiringango

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Lived Experience of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Saudi Women: Interpretive Phenomenological Study , Hayat Abdullah Algamadi

Relationships Among Authentic Leadership, Manager Incivility and Trust in the Manager , Ohood Ali Alkaabi

Gender and Experiences of Family Homelessness , Fawziah Almalki

The Influence of Authentic Leadership on Fourth-Year Nursing Students' Experience of Workplace Bullying and Withdrawal Intentions , Lindsay Anderson

Exploring Social Cohesion Among Syrian Refugees in Canada: A Secondary Analysis , Sara Calvert

An Exploration of Medication Errors Generated by Baccalaureate Nursing Students Using Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) Technology in Clinical Simulation , Ryan Chan

An Exploration of the Nursing Leaders’ Experiences Addressing Indigenous Health in University Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Ontario , Danae Coggins

It's About Time! GDM: A Transformative Postpartum Process. A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study , Natalie Giannotti

Women's Quality of Life After Leaving an Abusive Relationship: The Effects of Past and Ongoing Intimate Partner Violence, Mastery and Social Support , Diana Jaradat

Exploring unmet healthcare needs, healthcare access, and the use of complementary and alternative medicine by chronic pain sufferers- An analysis of the National Population Health Survey , Jessica LaChance

Exploring Harm Reduction Among Canadian Veterans Experiencing Homelessness , Olivia Marsella

Explaining Collaboration in Nursing Education Programs , Jason Powell

Social inclusion for women experiencing homelessness , Jenna Richards

Examining the Relationships among Authentic Leadership, Interprofessional Collaboration, and Nurse Assessed Adverse Events: A Mediation Model , Vanessa Safian

The Effects of Authentic Leadership and Organizational Commitment on Job Turnover Intentions of Experienced Nurses , Alexis E. Smith

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Choosing Between a Thesis or Non-thesis Master's Degree

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•       Resources       Choosing Between a Thesis or Non-thesis Master's Degree

As of 2015, approximately 25.4 million Americans held advanced degrees , with more citizens joining these ranks each year. As studies continue to show the career advancement and salary benefits of completing a master's degree, more and more students elect to pursue advanced educations. When considering their options, many question whether to enroll in a master's requiring a thesis or not. The following guide examines some of the reasons degree seekers may want to write a thesis while also highlighting why they might not. Students on the fence about this important decision can find expert advice, actionable tips, and relevant guidance to help them make an informed choice in the guide that follows.

Understanding the Master's Thesis

What is the difference between a thesis & non-thesis master's program, the decision not to do a thesis.

As students research various master's programs in their chosen discipline, it's common to find that many degrees require a thesis – especially if they want to enter a research-heavy field. While this word gets thrown around a lot in academia, some learners may want more information regarding what it entails in order to make an informed decision.

What is a Master's Thesis?

The master's thesis is an original piece of scholarship allowing the student to dig into a topic and produce an expanded document that demonstrates how their knowledge has grown throughout the degree program. These documents require significant independent research of primary and secondary sources and, depending on the subject, may require interviews and/or surveys to support the overarching argument.

Individual schools and departments dictate the length of these documents, but they typically range between 60 and 100 pages – or approximately 20,000 to 40,000 words. While tackling a document of such heft may seem overwhelming at first, learners need not fret. Each master's candidate receives a faculty advisor early in their tenure to provide support, feedback, and guidance throughout the process. Because the final thesis is expected to be of a publishable quality, learners seeking the highest marks typically send their supervisor excerpts of the document as they write to ensure they are on the right track.

When picking a thesis topic, no magical formula exists. Students should consider their interests and read extensively on that topic to get a better sense of existing scholarship. They should also speak to other academics working in that sphere to familiarize themselves with ongoing projects. Only after they feel reasonably well-read should they begin looking for uncovered angles or interesting ways of using emerging methodologies to bring new light to the topic.

When considering formatting, degree seekers should check with their specific schools and departments, as they may have unique requirements. To get a general understanding of what to expect, learners can review Simon Fraser University's guidelines on thesis formatting. After completing the thesis, some programs require an oral defense before a committee while others read the document and provide a grade. Check with your prospective schools to get a better sense of procedure.

Format & Components of a Master's Thesis

While this guide attempts to provide helpful and actionable information about the process of deciding whether to follow a thesis or non-thesis track in a master's program, readers should remember that specific components and requirements of a thesis vary according to discipline, university, and department. That being said, some commonalities exist across all these – especially when it comes to what students must include in their final drafts.

As the first section a reader encounters after moving through the table of contents and other anterior text, the introductory allows the writer to firmly establish what they want to accomplish. Sometimes also called the "research question" section, the introductory must clearly state the goals of the paper and the overarching hypothesis guiding the argument. This should be written in a professional yet accessible tone that allows individuals without specializations in the field to understand the text.

This section allows learners to demonstrate their deep knowledge of the field by providing context to existing texts within their chosen discipline Learners review the main bodies of work, highlighting any issues they find within each. Constructive criticism often centers around shortcomings, blind spots, or outdated hypotheses.

Students use this section to explain how they went about their work. While scientists may point to a specific method used to reach conclusions, historians may reference the use of an emerging framework for understanding history to bring new light to a topic. The point of this section is to demonstrate the thought processes that led to your findings.

This section allows for learners to show what they learned during the research process in a non-biased way. Students should simply state what information they gathered by utilizing a specific framework or methodology and arrange those findings, without interpretation, in an easy-to-read fashion.

After providing readers with all the necessary information, the discussion section exists for candidates to interpret the raw data and demonstrate how their research led to a new understanding or contributed a unique perspective to the field. This section should directly connect to the introduction by reinforcing the hypothesis and showing how you answered the questions posed.

Even though the previous sections give prospective degree seekers a better sense of what to expect if they decide to write a thesis during their master's program, they don't necessarily help learners decide whether to pursue a thesis or non-thesis track. The following section highlights some of the reasons students frequently choose to complete a thesis or bypass the process altogether by providing a pros and cons list.

Why a Thesis Program

• Especially when entering a research-heavy discipline, completing a thesis shows prospective schools and employers that you possess the skills needed for researching and writing long-form reports.
• Students hoping to pursue a Ph.D. stand in better stead with admissions panels if they wrote a thesis during a master's program.
• Individuals hoping to enter a field that values syntax and grammar often better their writing skills by completing a thesis.
• Students who write a thesis can submit the final product to various academic journals, increasing their chances of getting published.
• Theses expand students' understanding of what they're capable of, deepen their ability to carry out an argument, and develop their skills in making connections between ideas.

Why a Non-thesis Program

• Because they don't require a significant written product, non-thesis master's tend to take less time to complete.
• Often mirrors a bachelor's program in terms of structure, allowing learners to complete classes and take exams without a great deal of research or writing.
• Students who excel in project-based assignments can continue building skills in this arena rather than focusing on skills they don't plan to use (e.g. research)
• Provides learners the opportunity to work more closely and more frequently with faculty on real-world projects since they don't spend hundreds of hours researching/writing.
• Allows learners to take more classes and gain hands-on skills to fill the time they would have spent researching and writing a thesis.

How to Choose a Master's Program: FAQs

Within some academic disciplines and professional fields, research and writing plays a key role in work done on a daily basis. Because of this, master's programs in these fields require learners to complete theses to compete against peers and be seen as competent in their work. Other disciplines, conversely, rely on other tools to accomplish work and progress ideas – making theses less important.

Yes. Master's programs focused more on application than research typically don't require a thesis – although they may still give students the option. Examples of common non-thesis master's programs include nursing, business, and education.

Even though non-thesis students won't be writing a 100-page paper, that doesn't mean they avoid completing a significant project. In place of a thesis, most applied master's programs require students to take part in at least one internship or complete a culminating project. These projects typically ask learners to take what they learned throughout coursework and create an expansive final project – examples include case studies, creative works, or portfolios.

While students who followed a non-thesis path routinely receive acceptance to Ph.D. programs, those with theses often find the process easier. Even if a learner pursues a Ph.D. in a discipline that isn't research-heavy, admissions panels still want to get a sense of your academic interests and ability to engage in independent, nuanced thought. Students with theses can provide solid proof of these skills, while those without may struggle to demonstrate preparedness as thoroughly.

The answer to this question depends on many factors, but typically it is okay not to do a thesis if you plan to enter a field that doesn't depend heavily on research or writing, or if you don't plan to complete a Ph.D.

Students wanting to work in academic, research, or writing should always opt for the thesis track. They should also follow this path if they have any doctoral degree aspirations.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to complete a thesis rests with the individual student. Figuring out how to proceed on this front requires lots of careful consideration, and learners should ensure they consider various aspects before coming to a final decision. The following section helps students consider how they should and should not come to a conclusion.

Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a Thesis or Non-thesis Program

• Consider the longevity of your decision: will you feel the same in 5-10 years or are you making a decision based on current desires?
• Talk to others who with experience in this area. Ask them questions about their decision-making process and if they regret their choice.
• Research potential thesis topics before starting a program. Going in with a game plan can help you feel more confident and settled about the process than if you're scrambling for a topic while in school.
• Reach out to prospective schools to speak with faculty and/or current students following both tracks. This will provide knowledge specific to the school while also expanding your network if you choose to attend there.
• Research Ph.D. entrance requirements to ascertain if the majority expect learners to possess a thesis when applying. This will give you a sense of whether you may experience issues later on if you do not complete one.
• Decide not to complete a thesis simply because you have never taken on such a task and feel overwhelmed or fearful that you will fail.
• Complete a thesis simply because you think it will look good on your resume. Theses require intense devotion over an extended amount of time; learners who complete them without conviction often find the process miserable.
• Forget to research alternatives to writing a thesis. Just because you don't complete a research paper doesn't mean a non-thesis track lacks rigor or challenging coursework.
• Forget to read examples of theses by previous students. If you feel overwhelmed by the task, reading work other people have done can often make the task at hand feel less scary.
• Let yourself off easy by taking the non-thesis path. If you find you have extra time in the program, talk to your advisor about taking more classes, develop meaningful projects for yourself, or see about presenting at an academic conference.

From the Expert

Sudiksha Joshi, Ph.D. is a learning advocate. Her mission is to empower our youth to think bigger, bolder thoughts and forge a career path that will change the world. She taps into her natural curiosity and ability to identify strengths to help students and those in transition find their path from feeling lost in the traditional ways of achieving success to charting their own path. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Medium and LinkedIn.

Why might a student decide to follow a thesis track? Why might they follow a non-thesis track?

A student might decide to take a thesis track if she/he wants to pursue a Ph.D. Also, if the students want to focus on careers where research and writing have a strong focus, the students opt for the thesis option. Research assistantships at the graduate level are also more often available to students who opt for the thesis option.

A student who might feel that writing is not one of their strengths might choose to go the non-thesis track. Likewise, a student who has other work commitments may find a non-thesis option more convenient.

Do you have any tips for deciding on a program?

I chose a thesis option because being able to conduct independent research was a big reason to go to graduate school. Also, showing the ability that I could do research was what afforded me research assistantships which meant that my tuition was paid for and I got a stipend that paid for expenses while I was in graduate school. This also allowed me the opportunity to work closely with the faculty mentor that provided me with the support and the accountability I wanted.

I would not recommend taking a non-thesis option if all the degree requires is for you to take courses. You have little to show in terms of your learning other than your grades unless you are already working on something on the side that does that for you and all you need is a certificate.

Opt for a non-thesis option if you can still work closely with a professor or on a project and if you'd rather be involved in multiple projects rather than focus on a single project. If you already have a good (informed) reason for choosing one over the other, go for it.

What's the most important thing to consider when choosing a program?

The most important thing to consider when choosing a program is getting excited about the projects that at least one of the faculty members are involved in. Do some research and see why you are excited about a particular work that at least one of the faculty members have been involved in.

Who should students talk to when considering options?

Students should talk to other students and also reach out directly to the graduate coordinator and even individual faculty members. This means that students should have done prior homework and have some good questions ready. Asking good questions will get you at least halfway through to make the right decision.

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• Volume 24, Issue 1
• Producing a successful PhD thesis
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• http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4308-4219 David Barrett 1 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9104-1999 Alison Rodriguez 2 ,
• Joanna Smith 3
• 1 Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Hull , Hull , UK
• 2 School of Healthcare , University of Leeds , Leeds , West Yorkshire , UK
• 3 School of Healthcare , University of Leeds , Leedss , West Yorkshire , UK
• Correspondence to Dr David Barrett, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK; D.I.Barrett{at}hull.ac.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103376

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All doctoral students strive for the day—after years of often all-consuming study—that their thesis is ready to submit. For both doctoral students and supervisors there is often trepidation about whether the thesis will meet the criteria to merit the award of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). As anxieties increase, doctoral students often ask what makes a good PhD, something we explored in a recent ‘Research Made Simple’ article, 1 but perhaps the more important question is ‘what makes a PhD student successful?’ In this article we outline the core criteria on which PhD theses are judged and offer suggestions for achieving success.

How are PhDs assessed

Traditionally, a PhD involves 3 to 4 years of full-time study (or a longer part-time programme), which is assessed by the student submitting the work they have undertaken as a thesis or—less commonly—a portfolio of published papers and an associated narrative (sometimes referred to as ‘PhD by publication’). In addition, the student must undertake an oral defence of their work through a discussion (the ‘viva’) with examiners, who are deemed to be experts in the field of study or with related methodological expertise. 2

Sets out the problem and context of the research, including theoretical perspectives.

Outlines existing approaches that have addressed the problem or related issues before, typically by undertaking a thorough critical analysis of literature and identifying a gap in the evidence.

Justifies and critically evaluates the research methodologies and methods chosen to address the problem.

Presents the finding of the research and how they add to existing knowledge.

Makes recommendations as to how the findings can advance the discipline and improve practice, and/or suggest further research directions.

What criteria are used to assess a PhD thesis?

The core criteria for PhD success—ubiquitous to all disciplines and universities—are that the student;

Has made an original and significant contribution to knowledge of the topic under investigation;

Draws on a well-argued and cohesive conceptual/theoretical framework;

Demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate and justify the research methodology and methods adopted;

Can convey information (written and verbally) succinctly;

Produces a thesis is of sufficient rigour that the work is evaluated as publishable in relevant discipline-specific journal(s).

Table 1 highlights some of the key ingredients of PhD success, in terms of the study, thesis and viva.

• View inline

Key principles to PhD study success

Justifying methods

The justification of methodological choices is usually presented in a distinct chapter that typically has two components: first, a ‘big picture’ description of the theoretical perspective and methodological justification (sometimes called the research approach), followed by an account of procedure (methods) of how the research was undertaken.

Critical writing

An essential criterion expected from examiners is that students demonstrate criticality in the way they present and defend information. This can be a challenge, and many PhD students perceive that there is little guidance about how to develop effective arguments and few opportunities to develop critical writing skills. 2 3 Similar to developing knowledge and understanding of research methods, students need the knowledge and skills for effective oral communication of ideas and writing. 3

The student must be able to write succinctly and critically to produce a robust and coherent thesis. 2 4 A thesis should open with a clear outline of the problem, informing the reader what the thesis about and why the topic is important. It should detail what contexts and perspectives are relevant and offer an outline to the layout of the thesis. In all chapters, students should consider the following:

Use of ‘signposts’ to tell the reader where they are going to go, summarising afterwards and providing appropriate links throughout.

Meaningful headings: the content of chapters and sections need to reflect the heading.

Avoidance of vague terms or superfluous words, keeping sentences clear and focussed.

Paragraphs that are distinct enough to explore and evaluate a clear issue but linked well enough to enhance the flow of the thesis. A general rule of thumb is that a paragraph should be about half a page: any less and there is limited criticality, any longer and there is a tendency to ramble, lose focus and cause the reader to become disengaged.

A PhD is not about how much the student can write: it is about how well they articulate and critically analyse information.

Critical writing at Doctoral level is essential to establish the quality of the research and the credibility of the researcher. A good thesis creates a portrait of an authoritative and competent researcher, and critical writing is crucial for building the examiners’ confidence in the research undertaken.

Publishable standard of the work

Publishing in refereed journals and conferences is the traditional way in which the research community disseminates findings and builds knowledge, although there is increasing recognition of the role of social media platforms as a means of rapidly sharing knowledge. Refereed journals use recognised standards (such as the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines for trials) 5 and rigorous review processes to assess the quality of a research paper, which must be met for successful publication. It is therefore unsurprising that many examiners view a thesis more favourably if a student provides evidence of having published elements of their work. 6

Summary of key considerations

Unlike undergraduate assessment, there is a paucity of research exploring the assessment of PhDs. However, a study that explored the process and judgements of experienced examiners, 6 provided a valuable summary of the characteristics of a poor and excellent thesis ( table 2 ).

Characteristics of a poor and excellent thesis 6

This article has outlined some of the steps that a PhD student should consider in order to produce a high-quality thesis and ensure a successful viva. We have considered how it is important that decision-making is transparent in the thesis, and defendable in the oral defence/viva. A PhD thesis should show evidence of originality and theoretical/conceptual cohesiveness, communicated via the student’s critical writing ability. The thesis and defence provide students with the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise in the field, offers them a methodological stage and gives the platform to share their critical perceptions, experiences and expertise.

• Rodriguez A ,
• McKenna C , et al
• Wellington J
• Campbell MK ,
• Elbourne DR ,
• Altman DG , et al
• Mullins G ,

Twitter @barrett1972, @ARodriguez339, @josmith175

Competing interests None declared.

Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems Theses

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This collection is made up of doctoral and master theses by research, which have been received in accordance with university regulations.

For more information, please visit the UCD Library Theses Information guide .

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• Publication The Discursive Positioning of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Irish Healthcare System ( University College Dublin. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, 2022 ) Thompson, Wayne   ; 0000-0002-2734-436X Background: The Irish health service, in common with health services across the world, faces the challenge of operating within economic constraints while responding to changing demographics that increase demand for health and social care services. Within this dynamic environment, nurses, especially Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP), are experiencing new challenges. Whilst nursing and medicine have established systems of disciplinary practices that produce nurses and doctors within historically-contingent role boundaries, these boundaries are becoming more fluid and porous. ANPs constantly negotiate these boundaries, offering the possibility of a new and potentially more liberating identity for them within the healthcare system. Uncertainty about the ANP identity results in the full potential of the ANP role not being realised and, consequently, ANPs are underutilised. This study aims to understand how ANPs are positioned within current nursing and health systems by making explicit the discourses that construct the ANP role and how they both enable and constrain it. Methods: The study is based on a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of healthcare professionals’ language-in-use. To gain an analytic purchase on participants’ language-in-use, James Paul Gee’s Tools of Inquiry and Building Task Frameworks were employed. In addition, Barry Oshry’s Organic Systems Framework (OSF) was applied to deepen the analysis and to help identify how the patterns of relationships and processes inherent in human systems manifest in language. Data were elicited from a literature review and document analysis as well as seven in-depth interviews and four focus groups involving twenty-nine participants including twelve ANPs, two staff nurses, eight nurse managers, one director of nursing and one nursing project officer, three medical doctors and two allied healthcare professionals. Findings: Language-in-use established that ANPs add value to the healthcare system from both a monetary and non-monetary perspective and highlighted the centrality of nursing to the ANP role. Language-in-use constructs an identity for ANPs as a medical substitute, an inferior role, yet an innovative addition to the system and a threat to existing structures. Language-in-use constructs tensions between independence and autonomy, on the one hand, and collaboration and control, on the other. Findings show that when hierarchical structures and professional self-interest dominate, systemic processes and relationships are impacted, resulting in a healthcare system that is out of balance. Whilst nursing research and professional scholarship are seen as central to the ANP role, discourses related to these elements were not prevalent in this study. Instead, ANPs are busied by the demands of the clinical aspect of the role, and the ANP role itself is based around the performance of tasks that are mastered by experience rather than erudition. Conclusions: This study alerts healthcare professionals to the ways in which discourses influence opinion and frame the ANP role. To meet the demands of an ever-changing, dynamic healthcare system, it is vital that ANPs are supported and allowed to ‘advance’. When Conversations and Discourses disparage the ANP role, they should be challenged. We need to move away from positioning ANPs as a marginal and contested presence in the health system and instead see their role as making an important and necessary contribution to it. ANPs need to clearly articulate their role, the value that it adds to the healthcare system and demonstrate how it aligns with and complements other healthcare professionals’ roles. ANPs need to become more visible and vocal, and more engaged in policy formulation. They should recognise and harness the tremendous strength and rich diversity that they collectively represent. This is key to maximising the ANPs potential and strengthening their distinctive contribution to the healthcare system.   315
• Publication A Participatory Action Research Study to inform the Development and Implementation of Combined Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease Care Provided in the Context of Advanced Practice Nursing ( University College Dublin. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, 2020 ) Blanchfield, Denise   ; 0000-0002-8726-7538 The rise in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease across the age spectrum has been highlighted as a major public health concern and is correlated with increased economic burden, patient suffering and mortality. Preventative care and early chronic kidney disease management strategies informed by best practice recommendations are associated with improved clinical outcomes, patient survival and reduced economic burden. However, opportunities to implement preventative and early management strategies are missed when the care for type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease are provided separately. Patients report an uncoordinated impersonal approach when type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease care is provided separately. Furthermore, facilitating a combined care strategy enhances care coordination, communication and quality. As current healthcare delivery strategies are failing to implement best practice early management strategies or achieve best practice targets, an alternative approach is required to meet the needs of care providers and patients. One such strategy was the development and implementation of combined type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease care, informed by best practice early management recommendations provided in the context of advanced practice nursing. Contemporary literary discourse indicates care provided in the context of advanced practice nursing is safe and effective, albeit there is no national and limited international evidence pertaining to the direct care contribution for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The main aim of this national and international unique study was to utilise co-created knowledge between health care professionals and patients to inform development and implementation of combined care provided in the context of advanced practice nursing. The outcomes of this study will inform development and implementation of future services for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease led by advanced nurse practitioners. A Participatory Action Research approach was utilised, as this nonlinear iterative process facilitates flexibility and responsiveness to challenges presented within the current healthcare environment.   417
• Publication Evaluating the impact of context within implementation research ( University College Dublin. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, 2021 ) Rogers, Lisa   ; 0000-0001-8286-2082 The uptake of evidence-based healthcare interventions is challenging with, on average, a 17-year time gap between the generation of evidence and the implementation of change in routine practice. One of the key challenges to successful implementation requiring consideration is context. However, despite its noted importance, context remains a poorly understood construct, with a lack of consensus regarding how it should be accounted for within research. Subsequently, this research addressed this gap by exploring the following research questions: How does context influence the implementation of a collective leadership team intervention? Does context contribute to variances in implementation success across settings? If so, how? A systematic review was conducted which highlighted that inconsistencies exist when defining, assessing, and analysing context. These findings supported the development of an operational definition of context and the creation of a practical approach for measuring the construct. Using a multiple case study design and a triangulation of qualitative research methods (involving observation and interview data), this practical method was applied to evaluate how context influences implementation within two multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Two overarching themes were generated from the data. The first revealed the bidirectional influence of context and implementation, highlighting how these concepts dynamically interact, respond, and mutually evolve. The second theme addressed the micropolitical concepts of power, authority, and influence as essential contextual determinants impacting implementation. This thesis contributes to the implementation science literature by 1) developing an operational definition of context to improve the coherency and consistency with which the term is used; 2) advancing a practical method that captures the dynamism of the concept and creates actionable, detailed findings; and 3) exposing the impact of team-level contextual factors on implementation success. This valuable knowledge will help researchers negotiate the everyday realities of healthcare, supporting the successful implementation of change in routine practice.   241

How the nursing shortage is affecting the health-care system, patients and nurses themselves

Associate Professor, Nursing, MacEwan University

Assistant Professor, Nursing, MacEwan University

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If you worry that there are not enough health-care providers to meet health needs, you are not alone. Seventy per cent of Canadians worry about access to care. One factor affecting health-care access is a global nursing shortage .

The increasing demand for nursing services in Canada far exceeds the current supply. Statistics Canada reported in 2021-22 nursing had higher job vacancies than any other occupation, and nurses worked over 26 million hours of overtime.

In honour of National Nursing Week 2024 (May 6-12), we ask all Canadians to consider asking a nurse they know about the realities of the nurses’ working lives.

A short-staffed health system

Forecasting models predicted a shortage of 60,000 nurses nationwide by 2022, and further predicted that would almost double to more than 117,000 by 2030.

Responding to shortages has led to changes in staffing models , with fewer registered nurses, more licensed practical nurses and substantially more health-care aides. But even with these, there is a significant shortage, making it essential to retain existing nurses who have the required education and expertise.

In 2024 the Canadian Federation of Nursing Unions (CFNU), conducted a survey of 5,595 nurses. Thirty per cent reported dissatisfaction with their career and 40 per cent intend to leave nursing or retire.

Early career nurses were even more unhappy with 35 per cent reporting dissatisfaction. This is due to occupational disappointment , which is a feeling of disheartenment with career choice.

Job dissatisfaction in nursing

The majority of CFNU survey respondents attributed this disappointment to high workload and insufficient staffing. One cause of increased workload is caring for more patients than the bed capacity is funded or staffed for. Seventy per cent of nurses reported their workplace regularly operated over capacity.

Even when care areas are understaffed, patient needs do not change and fewer nurses must meet these needs. Nurses are also influenced by shortages in other health professions such as physiotherapy by picking up extra duties to meet patient needs.

Insufficient staffing increases nurse workload to above normal demands and can threaten patient safety. When there is insufficient staff, nurses from other areas may be displaced to cover. For example, a nurse scheduled on an orthopedic unit might be displaced to neurology.

Forty two per cent of nurses in the CFNU survey were displaced within the last year and 40 per cent of them felt inadequately trained for the care area they were sent to.

Insufficient staffing can also lead to missed care where patient needs are unmet. Common examples include delay or failure to answer patient call bells or assist with personal care. Recently neonatal intensive care units highlighted they were functioning at 102 per cent capacity and babies were not able to be fed as frequently.

Nurses’ concerns with substandard care impact job retention as they may experience moral distress . Moral distress is highly correlated with increased intent to leave a job , or the profession .

Safety and safeguards

When short staffed, nurses can be mandated to work beyond their eight- or 12-hour scheduled shifts. Under the Registered Nurse Code of Ethics, the nurse has a duty to provide care to assigned patients until they are transferred to another appropriate care provider. Failure to do so is considered abandonment.

While off duty, nurses can be called in for mandatory overtime. The CFNU policy statement advocates against the use of mandatory overtime except in exceptional circumstances such as disasters. Despite this, in 2023 Manitoba nurses worked over one million hours of mandatory overtime. This is shocking, especially considering Manitoba has legislation limiting mandatory overtime usage.

From a safety perspective however, restricting overtime is not a solution, as it could leave patients at risk and nurses even more overburdened.

Not all overtime is mandatory. Many nurses receive frequent calls to pick up extra hours , which leaves them unable to properly recover between shifts . Declining overtime can cause guilt or a sense of letting colleagues down. In the CNFU survey, 62 per cent of respondents worked overtime in the last month out of obligation.

The impact of the nurse shortage

Work hour factors impact patient safety. The CFNU study “Safe hours saves lives” reported extended shifts led to deficits in patient care with nurses reporting decreased physical strength, focus, and ability to be compassionate. Fatigue contributes to medication errors.

Fatigue is correlated with drowsiness and difficulty staying awake both on shift and when driving home . This presents a danger to patients, nurses, and all Canadians on the roads.

Persistent fatigue has been found to impact nurses health. This influences work attendance which further worsens the shortage. Canadian nurses missed an average of 19 days of work for illness or leave in 2022, up from 14.7 days in 2021. This is more than double the sick time taken by government and private sector employees.

Many factors identified in this article contribute to nurse burnout. Canadian nurses have increasing rates of burnout. Ninety three percent of CFNU survey respondents reported symptoms of burnout . Burnout has been linked with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Why a shortage of nurses matters

All Canadians ought to worry about the nursing shortage. Without addressing it, Canadian’s ability to access safe, compassionate care will be compromised. When looking at the complex ways that the shortage impacts nurses and their work demands, it is no wonder why they experience occupational disappointment.

Work is underway by nurses alongside Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer . The Nurse Retention Toolbox provides guidance. The work to address nursing retention cannot be done by nurses alone. All Canadians need to advocate for conditions that support the well-being of nurses and other health care providers. This is essential for a safe, sustainable health system for us all.

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