problem statement nursing 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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Nursing Thesis Writing Guide

Nursing thesis writing can be a very time-consuming and challenging process. In this article, we’ll outline some of the most helpful approaches to nursing thesis writing.

Nursing Thesis Writing Guide-Solution

Background chapter in nursing.

If you are writing a thesis for a nursing degree, there are a few things you should know about how to write a thesis background chapter.

When writing your thesis background chapter, it is important to keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Address the objectives of the nursing research study you are describing. This will help readers understand why you chose this particular study and why it is important for nurses .
• Discuss how the nursing research study fits within the larger context of nursing theory and practice. This will give readers an understanding of why this study is important and how it can be used to improve nursing care .
• Explain how the findings of the nursing research study will be used by nurses in practice . This will help readers see how the information from the study can be integrated into their daily work .
• Summarize what you have learned from the research study in one or two paragraphs.

Thesis Introduction Chapter

Writing a thesis introduction in nursing is an important step in completing your nursing degree. There are a few things to keep in mind when writing your thesis introduction chapter.

Keep your introduction focused. A good way to do this is to start with a question or statement that will focus the reader on what you plan to discuss in your introduction. For example, if you are introducing a new theory or perspective on nursing , begin by asking the reader why they should care. This will help them stay engaged and interested in what you have to say.(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)

Use engaging language and examples . When writing about complex concepts, try to use language that is easy for readers to understand. For example, avoid using complicated scientific terms or jargon. Instead, use terms that are commonly used within the field of nursing. Additionally, provide concrete examples to illustrate your points.(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)

Make sure your introduction flows smoothly. A well-written thesis introduction will encourage readers to continue reading and provides them with essential information about the topic at hand. Keep your sentences short and concise, and make sure each paragraph flows logically from the one before it.(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)

How to write a Problem Statement for a Nursing Thesis

Problem statement writing is essential for any nursing thesis. A problem statement frames the problem that your research will address, and it helps you to focus your research. It also provides a roadmap for your research, outlining the topics you will explore and the evidence you will use to support those conclusions. Here are some tips on how to write a problem statement:(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)

• Identify the Problem: What is the purpose of your research? What problem does your research address? What question does your research answer?
• State the Hypothesis: What are your preliminary findings? What is your prediction about the outcome of your study ?
• Describe Your Research Methods: How will you collect data? How will you analyze that data ? What types of sources will you use?
• Propose Solutions to Problems: What are some possible solutions to the problem that your research addresses? What actions could be taken to address this problem?(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)
• Justify Your Conclusions: What are your main findings and conclusions? What is the basis for those findings?

Using these tips, you can write a powerful problem statement for your nursing thesis (nursing master thesis).

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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] (how to write your nursing dissertation pdf)

How to write a thesis implementation chapter

Writing a thesis implementation chapter can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with research methods or writing in a scholarly setting . Here are some tips to help you write successfully:

• Start with a clear goal. What do you want your readers to learn from your chapter? What main points will you make?
• Be sure to ground your findings in the literature. What have other researchers found to be significant factors in implementing a successful thesis?(Nursing Thesis Writing Guide)
• Make sure your prose is clear and easy to follow. Your readers will be skimming your chapter, so make sure everything is on point.
• Be consistent in your approach throughout the chapter. Readers will want to know what you’re trying to accomplish, and they won’t appreciate any inconsistencies or abrupt shifts in tone.

How to write a thesis Literature Review Chapter

A literature review is an important part of writing a thesis. The goal of a literature review is to provide an overview of the study that you are reviewing and to provide critical analysis of that study.

When writing your literature review, think about the following questions:

• What is the study about?
• What types of research were used in this study ?
• What are the main findings of this study?
• How does this study relate to other studies that have been done on this topic ?
• What implications does this study have for nursing practice ? (undergraduate nursing dissertation examples pdf)

Writing a Results, Evaluation, and Conclusion (REC) Section

The REC section is a key component of any nursing thesis. It summarizes your findings and provides context for your research. You should aim to write a concise, accurate document that facilitates the interpretation of your data.

When writing the REC section, be sure to:

• Summarize your findings in one or two paragraphs.
• Discuss how your findings support or refute the overall thesis.
• Explain how your findings can be used in nursing practice .
• Include a discussion of any limitations of your study .
• Summarizing your findings

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Professional Nursing (NG 315)

• Library Catalog(s)
• Searching Tips and Source Evaluation
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• Professional Nursing NG315 Specific Resources
• Crafting a Thesis Statement
• Writing a Paper for Nursing
• APA Resources
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Online Help for a Great Thesis Statement

• Writer's Handbook - UW Madison
• Creating a Thesis Statement - Purdue
• 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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• Last Updated: Mar 6, 2024 9:17 AM
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