Learning Outcomes in Nursing Practice - Essay Example

"Learning Outcomes in Nursing Practice" is a great example of a paper on care.
Critically analyze current practice to formulate researchable problems.

Reflection

A researchable problem is any uncertainty that is challengeable and can be studied and analyzed in detail to create knowledge. The quality of the formulation of the research question has a decisive impact on the success of a research project (Aslam and Emmanuel, 2010). A well-formulated research question is extremely precise and specific and serves as a guide for the researcher while implementing the project considering the population and variables of interest. I successfully learned to analyze the current nursing practice in detail particularly with a view to identifying and formulating researchable problems so that they can be examined and gaps in knowledge can be filled.

Learning Outcome

Evaluate research as the basis for decision-making to improve outcomes through translation into evidence-based practice.

Reflection

Although I myself was able to evaluate research as the basis for decision making to enhance outcomes via translation into evidence-based practice, yet I found that many nurses cannot effectively do that. While nurses hold positive attitudes toward evidence-based practice at large, their tendency and ability to adopt evidence-based practice is impaired by three top barriers which are “lack of time, inability to understand statistical terms, and inadequate understanding of the jargon used in research articles” (Majid et al., 2011). Decision-making in the nursing practice is a very sensitive matter and a nurse is morally obliged to evaluate the quality of research before basing the decision on its outcomes.

Learning Outcome 

Synthesize an understanding of the research process through the development of a proposal to address a nursing problem or focus area identified in nursing practice.

Reflection

I learned that research is the process of synthesizing and comprehending a problem in the nursing field that leads to the development of a proposal. Development of a research proposal is crucial for addressing a nursing problem or focus area within the nursing practice by using evidence-based outcomes. It is recommendable for the researcher to get the proposal reviewed by the concerned research office. It helps tighten the proposal as the feedback of the research office is addressed. Having studied the proposal development and review process of a variety of universities, I found that faculty at Washington State University (2015) are encouraged to review the proposals in a mock review-type or modelling process.

Learning Outcome

Investigate ethical issues related to the conduct of scientific research, including informed consent, data management, data analysis, and protection of human subjects.

Reflection

I gained an understanding of ethical issues pertaining to the conduct of scientific research in nursing, including the significance of informed consent, the importance of undertaking data management, how to use different methods of data analysis, and protection of human subject in research. I learned that informed consent for adults who lack capacity may or may not be provided by a relative or a legal representative on their behalf depending upon the laws and regulations of a country. For example, a relative can provide consent of adults who lack capacity in the UK (Nursing Times, 2014). My plan to successfully complete this objective in the future comprises regularly keeping myself updated on the latest research findings.

Learning Objective

Explore national and international initiatives and research priorities.

Reflection

To achieve this objective, I explored national and international research priorities and initiatives in a detailed literature review. For example, the University of Pittsburgh (2014) has compiled such initiatives year by year in its report ranging over several decades. This provided me with invaluable information pertaining to the viewpoints and initiatives of various national and international research organizations on specific subject matters. Some of these organizations include Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nursing, the National Center for Nursing Research, the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, or the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Despite my best efforts, I do not think that I successfully completed this objective because of time constraints, though I plan to achieve it in the future by conducting a deep study of the research initiatives and proceedings of these and other organizations like them.