Well-structured Nursing Research Questions For Nursing Research Proposals

Here is a curated list of 20 well-structured nursing research questions, designed to address various specialties and current issues in the field. Each question is framed to be specific, researchable, and aligned with the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) where applicable:
  1. Staffing & Outcomes What is the relationship between nurse-to-patient ratios and the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in medical-surgical units?
  2. Telehealth Effectiveness Does telehealth follow-up improve medication adherence in patients with congestive heart failure compared to traditional in-person visits?
  3. Burnout Interventions How effective are structured mindfulness programs in reducing emotional exhaustion among ICU nurses?
  4. Pediatric Care What is the impact of nurse-led parental education on pain management adherence for children with sickle cell anemia?
  5. Geriatric Care Do bedside alarm systems decrease fall rates among elderly patients in long-term care facilities?
  6. Mental Health How do nurse-initiated discharge planning sessions affect 30-day readmission rates for patients with major depressive disorder?
  7. Cultural Competence Does culturally tailored diabetes education by nurses improve glycemic control in Hispanic populations?
  8. Palliative Care What are the effects of nurse-led advance care planning discussions on quality-of-life outcomes in terminal cancer patients?
  9. Infection Control How does audit-and-feedback reporting influence hand hygiene compliance rates among neonatal nurses?
  10. Obstetrics Does continuous labor support by nurses reduce cesarean section rates in first-time mothers?
  11. Oncology What is the efficacy of nurse-guided relaxation techniques in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea?
  12. Ethical Dilemmas How do oncology nurses navigate ethical challenges when patients refuse life-saving treatments? (Qualitative)
  13. Technology & Workflow How does the use of electronic health records (EHRs) impact nurse-patient communication in primary care settings?
  14. Community Health What barriers do school nurses face when addressing adolescent mental health crises in rural communities? (Qualitative)
  15. Pain Management Are non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., guided imagery) as effective as opioids in managing post-operative pain for orthopedic patients?
  16. Patient Education Does nurse-led teach-back education improve self-monitoring behaviors in patients with hypertension?
  17. Workplace Safety What are emergency nurses’ perceptions of the effectiveness of de-escalation training in reducing workplace violence incidents? (Qualitative)
  18. Evidence-Based Practice What organizational factors hinder the adoption of evidence-based pressure injury prevention guidelines among nurses?
  19. Rural Healthcare How do telehealth bridging programs staffed by nurses affect diabetic retinopathy screening rates in underserved rural areas?
  20. Pandemic Impact How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence burnout and resilience levels among emergency nurses in urban hospitals?
These questions span quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, addressing clinical outcomes, patient experiences, systemic challenges, and emerging trends. Each is tailored to generate actionable insights while remaining feasible for a research proposal.