Nursing

This is a guide for GRC's nursing students.

Explore Topic Ideas

Exploring Topics

There are a myriad of nursing topics to explore. You may wish to browse through these websites for ideas:

FIRST, choose a mental health topics below

THEN, find some background info ("Gale eBooks" is highly recommended!) on that topic.  This is crucial to help you understand:

  • the solid basics of your topic
  • specialized terminology about your topic (which you can use for later searches)
  • ways to narrow your large topic (for example, "stress" is a huge topic...background info helps you focus on which aspect of stress might you want to focus on)
ANXIETY
MOOD
PERSONALITY
TRAUMA
PYCHOTIC
HARM
EATING
SLEEP
SEX
ADDICTION
BEHAVIOR

Selected resources to help understand cultural beliefs of specific populations and culturally-competent nursing interventions.  Look in the book chapters or journal issues to identify areas of interest to you:

Possible Ways to Narrow and Focus to Different ASPECTS of Your Topic

 

QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE YOUR SEARCH FOCUS

POSSIBLE ANSWERS
(you can also use these as search words to narrow and focus your results)
WHO  is involved or affected?
  • Focus by characteristics of the patient
    (age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, disability, health status...etc.)
     
  • Focus by other people or groups/organizations involved
    (people in relation to the patient, organizations responsible for or concerned with the topic or type of patient)

example topic: stress
example answers:                                                

children, elderly, college students, veterans, pregnant mothers

caregivers, teachers, parents, schools, Center for Workplace Mental Health, federal government agencies like OSHA
WHAT is the health issue?
  • Focus by specific type, name or aspect
    (example: Aspartame as a specific type of sugar additive, Mediterranean Diet as a type of diet, cutting as a type of self-harm, aggression as one aspect of Borderline Personality Disorder, fatigue as one aspect of Long Covid, vaginal dryness as one aspect of menopause)
     
  • Focus by risk factors or symptoms
    (physical, psychological, chemical/hormonal, neurological)
     
  • Focus by time period
    (before, during and after surgery, life events, biological events)

example topic: stress
example answers:

type: acute, chronic

risk factors: job loss, death of family member

symptoms: heart racing, jaw clenching, insomnia
WHERE in the patient?
  • Focus by Body Systems
    (vascular, digestive, excretory, endocrine, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal..etc.)
     
  • Focus by Mind
    (area of brain, type of brain activity, disease of brain)
     
  • Focus by Environment
    (quality of life, hospital life, home life, social interaction, cultural considerations)

example topic: stress
example answers:

body: hypertension, rash breakouts, weight gain/loss, stomach acid, migraines, immune system

mind: depression, nervous breakdown, social anxiety
WHY is this happening?
  • Focus by cause or etiology
    (surgical, physical/mechanical, pharmacological, chemical/hormonal, neurological, genetic, psychological, cultural, situational, environmental, age...etc.)

example topic: stress
example answers:

relationship issues, job loss, start of new job, death of family member, change in medications, pandemic, war
HOW should this be solved?
  • Focus by prevention techniques OR intervention, therapy, treatment OR nursing tasks
    (physical/mechanical, psychological, neurological, surgical, pharmacological, chemical/hormonal, genetic, cultural, situational, environmental, technological, legislative, lifestyle change, patient education, nursing intervention..etc.)

example topic: stress
example answers:

prevention: meditation, yoga, social support, good sleep habits

treatment: music therapy, massage, Xanax, good nutrition, exercise

nursing tasks: Nursing intervention, Nursing diagnosis, Nursing assessment, Nursing Screening, Nursing Patient Education

 

Nursing: A Long Tradition of Dedication

Artificial Intelligence Prompts for Research Ideas

FIRST, make sure you understand your instructors' policies and expectations on using AI for your assignments

THEN, if appropriate, choose a Generative AI Tool below (these are just popular examples, there are many more available)

NEXT, click on the subtabs ("Select a Topic" "Develop Research Questions"..etc.) to find copy-and-paste prompts to enter in to your AI Tool

 

Reminder to use these tools ethically

  • do not copy/paste and plagiarize
  • beware of the limitations of the tools
    • AI is not "thinking," rather it is predicting text sentences based on scanning and learning from enormously huge datasets (billions of webpages)

Some free Generative AI Tools:

AI Prompts for Selecting a Topic

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

  • Help me brainstorm research topic ideas for the field of nursing by asking me at least different 5 questions about my personal interests.  First, ask the first question, then wait for my answer before proceeding to the next question. Next, after considering all my answers to the four questions, provide me 5 potential nursing research topic examples based on my interests.  Give 3 specific examples for each topic.  Provide your answers in a table format.

  • Provide 5 examples of background information on potential topics related to [Your Research Topic] and an example of a well-worded research question for each background information example.

AI Prompts for Developing Research Questions

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

  • Assist me in formulating specific research questions about [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions about my interests before you answer to stimulate my thinking. Then give me specific examples as you help me craft these questions. 
     
  • Offer guidance on the feasibility and relevance of research questions for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions about my interests before you answer to stimulate my thinking and give specific examples about why these questions are suitable. 
     
  • Provide examples of well-structured research questions for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and give specific examples behind the structure and context of these research questions. 
     
  • Provide examples of well-structured thesis statements for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and give specific examples behind the structure of these statements. 
     
  • What topics in [Your Research Topic] have not yet been explored? Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and give specific examples of the topics.
     
  • Based on the research gaps in [Your Research Topic], propose up to 10 research questions. Please ask me at least 4 questions about my interests before you answer to stimulate my thinking. Then give specific examples behind the structure and context of these research questions. 
     
  • Provide examples of well-structured essay titles for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking behind these titles. 
     
  • Suggest potential hypotheses to investigate in the context of [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking regarding these hypotheses. 
     

AI Prompts for Refining the Topic or Scope

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

NARROWING

 

  • In the field of [nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy..etc.], I am interested in researching [topic] 1. Give me 10 suggestions on how to narrow my topic 2. For each suggestion, provide three specific examples 3. For each suggestion, provide 3 Boolean searches with synonyms that could be used to search in academic databases. Provide your answer in a table format. 
  • Suggest potential subtopics or angles to explore within [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking on the relevance and significance of these subtopics. 
     
  • Provide guidance on setting specific research boundaries for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking on establishing these boundaries.
     
  • Offer examples of well-defined research scopes for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking on how these scopes can guide my research. 
BROADENING

 

  • In the field of [nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy..etc.], I am researching [your topic] but it is too narrow a topic. 1. Suggest 6 different broader scopes of research I could do that are still related to that original topic. 2. Give an explanation of each scope, 3. Give a specific example from each scope. 4. Give 3 different Boolean search strategies with synonyms for each scope.  Present your answer in a table format.
  • Assist me in broadening my research topic on [Your Research Topic] to achieve a manageable scope. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking on how to define the scope effectively. 

AI Prompts for Identifying Search Words

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

  • First, help me brainstorm keywords and phrases for my research questions about [Your Research Topic] and explain your thinking on how to choose effective search terms. Then, Please ask me at least 2 questions to stimulate my thinking about keywords.  Wait for my answer before you ask the next question.  Finally, end with your final recommendations on keyword strategies.
     
  • First, offer guidance on using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) for effective searching in the context of [Your Research Topic] and explain your thinking on how to use these operators strategically.  Next, please ask me at least 3 questions to stimulate my thinking around these  strategies.
     
  • Provide tips on using search engines, databases, and library resources for researching [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking about the best resources for my topic. 
     
  • Suggest synonyms and related terms to improve my search results for [Your Research Topic]. Please ask me at least 4 questions before you answer to stimulate my thinking and explain your thinking on how these terms can enhance my search. 
     

AI Prompts for Refining the Testing Arguments and Considering Other Opinions

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

  • You are my Socratic sparring partner. Make me defend my ideas about [insert your idea here] by challenging everything I say.
     
  • I believe [insert your idea here]. What would be at least five arguments given by different stakeholders who disagree with me?  Provide a description of each stakeholder.
     
  • I believe [insert your idea here]. What would be at least five arguments given by [describe a specific persona relevant to your topic such as “police officer” or “protester”] who disagrees with me?
     
  • What are the pros and cons around [topic]
     

AI Prompts for Summarizing Info

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

•    General Summary Request:

  • "Can you provide a concise summary of [topic]?"

•    Analogies

  • “What are three creative analogies to help me understand [topic or concept]

•    Examples

  • “Provide three concrete examples of [topic or concept]

•    Overview Request from Different Perspectives:

  • "Give me an overview of [topic], including its key concepts and significance. Include significance as it relates to the topic, including any of the following that may apply: systemic inequity, racial, ethical, psychological, political, medical, economic, environmental, historical, legal, cultural, technological significance and any other applicable significances not listed here.

•    Key Points Inquiry: 

  • "What are the main key points or takeaways related to [topic]?"

•    Stakeholders

  • “Who are the stakeholders for [topic]? Make sure to give a list of stakeholders on both sides of an issue or those who may have power in this issue and stakeholders who have little or no power.

•    Summary of Historical Context: 

  • "Provide a summary of the historical context and evolution of [topic]."

•    Current Status and Trends:

  • "Summarize the current status and recent trends in [topic]."

•    Pros and Cons: 

  • "Give me a summary of the pros and cons associated with [topic]."

•    Implications and Impact:

  • "What are the implications and impact of [topic] on [relevant aspect]?"
  • “What are the ethical, psychological, political, medical, economic, environmental, historical, legal, cultural, technological, and racial implications of [topic]

•    Challenges and Solutions:

  • "Summarize the key challenges related to [topic] and any proposed solutions."

•    Comparison Request:

  • "Compare and contrast [topic] with [related topic] in a brief summary."

•    Significant Events or Milestones: 

  • "Provide a summary of significant events or milestones in the history of [topic]."

•    Summary of Key Research Findings:

  •  "Summarize the key research findings and insights related to [topic]."

•    Summary of Benefits and Applications:

  • "Give me a summary of the benefits and practical applications of [topic]."

•    Policy and Regulatory Overview:

  •  "Summarize the current policies and regulations governing [topic]."

•    Impact on Society or Industry:

  • "Provide a summary of how [topic] has impacted society or the industry."

•    Future Outlook:

  • "Summarize the expected future developments, trends or recommendations related to [topic]."

AI Prompts for Analyzing Data

(copy and paste these prompts into text-generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Claude.ai and others)

  • What are the three main takeaways or key insights from the data listed below? [paste in data table]
     
  • What is most notable about the data listed below? [paste in data table]
     
  • In what ways could I practically use the data pasted below?  List the ways and give concrete examples [paste in data table]

Tip:

Read your assignment carefully:
  • Understand the requirements, limitations or freedom of your topic choices.
     
If you have a choice, select a topic that interests you personally:
  • have you recently come across a video, news report, interview or photograph that made you angry, excited, upset, hopeful or stirred your curiosity? 
  • do you have a strong opinion about a current social or medical issue, an injustice, a new cultural or technological phenomenon?
  • do you or a family member or a friend have a problem or a unique experience that you would like to dig deeper to understand?
  • what perplexes, fascinates, worries or gives you hope about the future?
  • what events or trends or people from history are most unfamiliar to you?

  • is there a topic from your textbook or class lecture that you want to further explore?

Is your topic....

  • Debatable? (are there likely other points of views that exist?)

  • Plausible? (there is likely valid evidence to support it)

  • Consequential? (the outcome or conversation about this topic is worthwhile or significant)
Subjects: Health Sciences