What is the primary focus of nursing research?

The primary focus of nursing research is to systematically inquire about nursing problems. This means that nursing research is dedicated to identifying, understanding, and addressing issues that arise within the nursing practice and patient care. By using established research methodologies, nursing research aims to gather evidence that can enhance the quality of care provided to patients, improve nursing practices, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

Systematic inquiry allows nurses to explore various dimensions of their practice, including patient safety, effective interventions, and innovative healthcare delivery methods. This approach is essential for advancing the body of knowledge in the nursing field, informing evidence-based practice, and fostering improvements through the application of research findings to real-world scenarios in healthcare.

In contrast, focusing on evaluating healthcare facilities, implementing new technology, or preparing educational materials for patients, while valuable elements of the broader healthcare context, do not encompass the primary aim of nursing research itself. These activities may be informed by research but are not the core focus of what constitutes nursing research. Instead, they are supportive actions that can benefit from the insights gained through systematic inquiry into nursing-related issues.