175 Nursing Research Topics for Students: Ideas for Evidence-Based Papers and Projects

If coming up with a research topic feels harder than writing the actual paper, we’ve got you covered. This list of 170+ nursing research topics includes fresh ideas that matter nowadays. From mental health to patient safety, you’ll find something that fits your interest and academic level. 

Here are 5 of the most relevant nursing research topics in 2025:

1. AI in patient monitoring
2. Burnout among new nurses
3. Post-pandemic infection control
4. Telehealth in rural communities
5. Ethical issues in end-of-life care

Meanwhile, if you're prepping for a thesis or a quick class project, EssayService is here to help. We offer expert writing support, topic guidance, and full essay assistance when you need it most!

Nursing Research Topics for 2025

Research topics in nursing continue to reflect real challenges in modern healthcare. The following ideas highlight areas with strong academic value and direct relevance to nursing practice.

1. AI-supported decision-making in intensive care units
2. Nurse-led strategies for suicide prevention in community health nursing
3. Cultural competence training and its effect on patient satisfaction
4. The role of telehealth in managing chronic diseases among elderly patients
5. Pain management protocols for pediatric patients in critical care settings
6. Exploring play therapy as part of pediatric nursing care for hospitalized children
7. Improving patient outcomes through electronic health records in primary care settings
8. Medication adherence among mental health patients receiving outpatient care
9. Nursing leadership and burnout prevention in mental health nursing teams
10. The impact of trauma-informed care approaches in psychiatric nursing research topics

Nursing Research Paper Topics for Students

Writing a solid paper starts with a focused, relevant topic. These research topics for nursing students are practical, timely, and designed to help with evidence-based approaches in a range of care environments.

1. Nursing interventions to reduce readmission rates in advanced cancer patients
2. The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient safety in critical care units
3. Exploring palliative care options in nursing education programs
4. Patient education methods that improve medication adherence in chronic disease management
5. Evaluating complementary and alternative medicine use in psychiatric patients
6. The role of nursing ethics in decision-making for end-of-life care
7. Nursing care models that address healthcare disparities in underserved communities
8. Assessing pediatric pain management practices in emergency departments
9. The influence of electronic health records on nurse communication in intensive care units
10. Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice in hospital nursing teams

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Pediatric nursing brings its own set of challenges and its own rewards. Here are ten research ideas that focus on improving pediatric nursing care.

1. How nurses can recognize and manage pain in infants who can’t speak yet
2. The impact of having a parent present during a child’s medical procedure
3. Why kids with chronic illnesses often struggle with medication routines – and how nurses can help
4. How nurse-led education improves asthma control in school-aged children
5. What role do pediatric nurses play in spotting early signs of developmental delays
6. Common challenges nurses face in post-surgery care for pediatric patients
7. Using play therapy to reduce hospital-related stress in young children
8. Helping families manage childhood obesity through nurse-led nutrition programs
9. How strong nurse-infant bonds can improve recovery in pediatric care units
10. Using virtual reality as a distraction tool during painful or scary procedures

Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Research Topics

Nursing students are well aware that guessing your way through a shift isn’t an option. What you do, say, and recommend has real consequences. If you're ready to dig into topics that actually change outcomes, these ideas will get you going:

1. How evidence-based pain management techniques improve recovery in post-op patients
2. Evaluating hand hygiene protocols to reduce hospital-acquired infections
3. The effectiveness of fall prevention strategies in elderly care units
4. Using evidence-based approaches to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections
5. Comparing outcomes of early mobility programs in ICU patients
6. Impact of standardized patient education on medication adherence in heart failure
7. How evidence-based breastfeeding support influences early postpartum health
8. Best practices for preventing pressure ulcers in long-term care facilities
9. Improving nurse communication handoffs through structured SBAR protocols
10. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction for nurse burnout prevention

Advanced Practice Nursing Research Topics

If you're looking for research ideas that reflect the depth and responsibility of advanced nursing roles, start here:

1. How prescribing decisions made by advanced practice nurses shape care in rural communities
2. Ways clinical nurse specialists help lower hospital readmission rates through follow-up and support
3. What happens when advanced practice nurses take the lead in managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease
4. Assessing advanced practice nurse-led models in chronic disease management
5. Barriers to independent practice authority for nurse practitioners in different states
6. Comparing patient satisfaction in clinics led by physicians vs. nurse practitioners
7. Advanced nursing strategies for pain management in palliative care
8. Effectiveness of APNs in reducing emergency department overcrowding
9. Nurse anesthetists’ contributions to surgical safety in outpatient settings
10. Policy advocacy and the influence of advanced practice nurses on healthcare reform

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Mental health care is a lot more than just diagnosing disorders. You should listen without judgment, build trust, and be the steady presence a patient can count on. 

1. How nurse-led interventions help reduce anxiety in hospitalized patients
2. The effect of therapeutic communication on trust-building in psychiatric care
3. Coping strategies used by nurses working in high-stress mental health units
4. Supporting adolescents with depression through school-based nursing programs
5. How routine mental health screenings by nurses improve early intervention
6. The impact of nurse-patient relationships on treatment outcomes in bipolar disorder
7. Evaluating the role of mental health nurses in suicide prevention protocols
8. Addressing burnout among psychiatric nurses in long-term care facilities
9. How stigma affects patient willingness to seek mental health care in hospitals
10. The role of community mental health nurses in supporting patients after discharge

Global Health Nursing Research Topics

Healthcare crosses the borders. If you're thinking bigger and want your research to reflect that, global health nursing offers powerful, real-world topics.

1. How nurses support vaccination efforts in low-income countries
2. Barriers to providing maternal care in rural and remote regions
3. The role of nurses in managing infectious disease outbreaks across borders
4. How climate change is reshaping global nursing priorities and patient needs
5. Improving access to clean water through nurse-led public health programs
6. Nursing strategies to reduce child mortality in underserved populations
7. Culturally sensitive nursing care in refugee and migrant communities
8. Global nursing partnerships and their impact on patient outcomes
9. The effect of international aid programs on local nursing practices
10. How nurses contribute to rebuilding healthcare systems after natural disasters

Holistic Nursing Research Topics

Contrary to popular belief, holistic nursing is not about crystals and incense. It combines physical care, emotional support, mental wellness, and sometimes even spiritual balance. And, for nursing students, this type of research is a chance to ask different kinds of questions.

1. How mindfulness practices improve recovery outcomes in surgical patients
2. The impact of nurse-led guided imagery on anxiety before medical procedures
3. Using aromatherapy in clinical settings to manage chronic pain
4. Patient experiences with holistic approaches during cancer treatment
5. The role of music therapy in emotional support for long-term care patients
6. How therapeutic touch affects stress levels in palliative care
7. Sleep quality improvement through holistic nursing interventions
8. Combining physical and emotional care for patients with chronic fatigue
9. The use of journaling as a tool for mental clarity and self-reflection in recovery
10. Holistic strategies for addressing burnout in nursing professionals

Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

Caring for older adults means preserving dignity and knowing how to handle the complicated health issues. 

1. Fall prevention strategies in residential nursing homes
2. How nutrition programs support healthy aging in older adults
3. The impact of nurse-led interventions on managing dementia symptoms
4. Addressing loneliness and isolation in geriatric patients through social support
5. Improving medication adherence in elderly patients with multiple prescriptions
6. Pain management techniques that prioritize comfort without overmedicating
7. The role of nurses in detecting elder abuse in clinical settings
8. How regular mobility assessments prevent hospital readmissions
9. Supporting caregivers of elderly patients through nurse-led education programs
10. The effect of music and memory programs on cognitive health in older adults

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

If you're keen on hard numbers and measurable results, quantitative research is where to start. As a nurse, it will help you test what works, how often it works, and for whom.

1. How hourly rounding by nurses reduces fall rates in hospitals
2. The effect of early ambulation on post-surgical recovery time
3. Tracking infection rates before and after hand hygiene interventions
4. Measuring patient satisfaction after nurse-led discharge education
5. Evaluating the impact of nurse-patient ratios on medication errors
6. Blood pressure control rates in patients managed by nurse practitioners
7. The correlation between sleep quality and pain levels in hospitalized patients
8. How nurse-led smoking cessation programs affect long-term quitting rates
9. Examining readmission rates in patients who received follow-up calls from nurses
10. Monitoring glucose levels in diabetic patients using nurse-managed care plans

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

Sometimes, numbers are not just enough to tell the whole story. That’s where qualitative research comes in. If you enjoy storytelling and exploring meaning, these topics are strong starting points.

1. Nurses’ experiences caring for terminally ill patients in hospice settings
2. How patients describe trust and connection during hospital stays
3. Emotional challenges faced by new nurses entering high-pressure units
4. Patients’ perspectives on dignity during long-term hospitalization
5. Exploring how nurses cope with moral distress in emergency care
6. The lived experiences of parents with children in pediatric intensive care
7. Understanding how older adults feel about end-of-life conversations
8. How cultural beliefs influence patient views on pain and treatment
9. Nurses’ reflections on providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic
10. Patients’ experiences navigating the healthcare system after a mental health crisis

Critical Care Nursing Research Topics

There’s absolutely no room for guesswork when it comes to critical care nursing. That’s the reason for the importance of research in this field. It gives nurses tools that actually work under pressure, in real time, with real lives on the line.

1. How nurse-driven sedation protocols affect patient outcomes in the ICU
2. The impact of early mobility programs on recovery time for ventilated patients
3. What actually works when it comes to preventing pressure ulcers in critical care?
4. How checklists help nurses lower the risk of central line infections in ICU patients
5. How nurse-to-patient ratios influence error rates in high-acuity settings
6. The role of critical care nurses in recognizing early signs of sepsis
7. Family involvement in ICU decision-making and its effect on care satisfaction
8. Evaluating noise-reduction strategies to improve sleep in critical care units
9. How simulation training improves nurse response to cardiac arrest events
10. Pain assessment challenges in nonverbal or sedated ICU patients

Nursing Education Research Topics

If you're ambitious enough to shape the future of nursing, research in this area gives you a chance to improve how this profession is taught, learned, and experienced.

1. How simulation-based learning impacts clinical confidence in nursing students
2. Evaluating the effectiveness of peer mentoring in nursing programs
3. The role of reflective journaling in developing clinical judgment
4. Does flipped classroom learning improve exam scores in nursing courses?
5. How test anxiety affects student performance in nursing school
6. Integrating mental health support into nursing education programs
7. The effect of early clinical exposure on skill development
8. How diversity and inclusion training shapes student attitudes in healthcare
9. Use of virtual reality in teaching complex nursing procedures
10. Student perceptions of feedback and its role in clinical skill growth

Nursing Topics for Presentation

Yes, presentations in nursing school (and anywhere else) can be intimidating, but they also give you a great chance to share something real. 

1. The nurse’s role in preventing patient falls
2. How to spot early warning signs of sepsis
3. Mental health first aid for nurses
4. The impact of burnout and how to manage it in nursing
5. Understanding patient rights and ethical care
6. Wound care basics every nurse should know
7. Nursing care during end-of-life and palliative treatment
8. Effective communication strategies in high-stress environments
9. How to build trust with pediatric patients and their families
10. Using evidence-based practice to improve patient safety

Easy Nursing Research Topics

These ten research ideas are perfect if you're just getting started or want something you can actually finish without tearing your hair out.

1. How handwashing habits affect infection rates in hospitals
2. The importance of sleep for patient recovery
3. Nurse-patient communication and its effect on healing
4. How hydration impacts wound healing
5. Time management strategies for nursing students
6. Why proper PPE use matters in clinical settings
7. The role of nurses in patient education
8. How stress affects nurses during night shifts
9. Tips for safe medication administration in busy units
10. The link between nutrition and patient outcomes

Interesting Nursing Research Topics

The most engaging topics are the ones tied to real experiences and everyday challenges. If it’s something you’re curious about, you’re more likely to stick with it and say something insightful.

1. How nurse-patient trust influences recovery in long-term care
2. The effect of music therapy on anxiety levels before surgery
3. Challenges faced by nurses caring for patients with chronic pain
4. How wearable health tech is changing patient monitoring
5. Cultural sensitivity in end-of-life care
6. The emotional toll of pediatric care on nurses
7. Patient safety in overworked hospital units
8. How nurse-led telehealth is shaping rural healthcare
9. Mental health support for nurses after traumatic clinical experiences
10. The future of AI in nursing decision-making

Current Research Topics in Medical Surgical Nursing

Medical-surgical nurses keep everything running. They care for patients with complicated conditions, react fast when things change, and balance hard skills with emotional support. 

1. Post-surgical pain management without opioid overuse
2. Preventing complications from immobility in hospitalized patients
3. How early ambulation affects surgical recovery outcomes
4. Nurse-driven protocols to reduce catheter-associated infections
5. Improving handoff communication between shifts
6. Managing delirium in older surgical patients
7. Reducing hospital readmissions after joint replacement surgeries
8. Nutrition and wound healing in post-op patients
9. How teamwork impacts outcomes in medical-surgical units
10. The role of nurses in identifying early signs of post-op infection

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic?

If you’re still overwhelmed choosing a nursing research topic, follow these steps: 

1. Start with the parts of nursing that caught your attention during class or clinicals.
2. Pay attention to problems you’ve seen in real care settings. 
3. Before you dive in, make sure there’s enough research out there to support your work.
4. Keep it focused. A topic that’s too broad will leave you overwhelmed.
5. Ask your instructors or classmates what they think. It helps to talk it out.
6. Pick something you care about. It’ll keep you going when the research gets tricky.
7. What kind of research are you involved in: are you collecting data, doing interviews, or comparing results?
8. Ask yourself: will this actually help someone?
9. Check your assignment guidelines so you don’t miss anything important.
10. Once you’ve got a general idea, shape it into one clear, solid question you’re ready to answer.

Final Notes

The best topic you can choose is the one that feels real and relevant. Start with curiosity, narrow your focus, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that matter.

And if you need support with your nursing research paper or don’t know where to begin with writing, EssayService is here to help. We work with students every day on everything from nursing essays to full research projects. Whether it’s editing, structuring your ideas, or writing from scratch, we’ve got your back!