Nursing research is one of the most important aspects to evolve from the nursing field over the last century. Taking a systematic approach to decipher the phenomena of the world in order to help explain or describe why things occur the way they do or how processes can be bettered by following a proven framework are fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future where nursing care is geared toward client centered care with the best possible outcomes in the most cost effective and time efficient methods. Nursing Research has taught me many important lessons, but the one that I am glad to take away from this course and the BSN program is being able to properly critique a study, article or research finding. Being able to critically evaluate a study’s design, the variables, the study population and participants, the types of assessment tools, data analysis and how exactly conclusions were drawn means being able to read between the lines of fluff and see the true value of a study and its results. I feel as though I am well prepared to look at any study and identify whether or not it has major flaws in its design, execution, or interpretation.

        Furthermore, Nursing Research has impressed upon me the very real need to incorporate evidence based research into nursing practice. Understanding a meta-analysis or research synthesis’ findings and translating this into a practice that is appropriate at one’s place of work means taking the best knowledge and evidence with proven outcomes and making it work at home in order to improve the quality of care that is provided to patients. Prior to this course and working as a nurse, I did not realize how important it was or how great the need is to be so proactive in advocating for evidence based research being manifested into practice. I always assumed that hospitals would be up to date on the best evidence based practices, that somebody would be charged with implementing this information, or that there was a committee continually staying abreast with new information. The reality is that the medical community is just as human as every other person in that we all get comfortable with our routines and favorable methods of making it through the day. This comfort and routine often means that quality may be sacrificed to routine and compounded by the lack of exposure or access to evidence based research.

        The nurses of today will guide the future of tomorrow; they hold the key to establishing and incorporating evidenced based research into practice today thereby establishing a future based on evidence based research, critical appraisal of research, and how to translate this research into a practice that works within their nursing culture. I believe that with the knowledge I have gained from this course that I can actually make an impact on my nursing community by being a voice of reason, that knows where to find the research, and that has the ability to examine the information for relevance. I have already been requested by my manager to write a formal paper comparing the acuity levels of our ICU to that of Telemetry in hopes of reducing the current Telemetry nurse to patient ratio of 6 to 1. Being a new transplant into ICU, I have the unique perspective on seeing how great the quality of care can be when a nurse only has 2 patients to care for. I feel especially equipped to write this paper, not only being able to present the information and latest research with finesse, but because my nursing research paper dealt with compassion fatigue, burnout and other stressors for high acuity nurses, with high patient ratios often cited as a contributing factor to these conditions.

Growing an Understanding Tree 

Explaining the phenomena of life’s working forces starts with planting a seed of inquiry and the germination of an understanding tree.  

An understanding tree seed requires the right amount of sunny insight, wise water, and the nutrient rich curiosity to begin its journey into the realm of understanding.

Its starts with an emerging radicle breaking free of the seed’s core, establishing a tap root of investigation into existence. As the hunger for knowledge and understanding grows, roots of examination meander into the soil absorbing the nutrients of life, laying the foundation for a stalk of insight to emerge. As a nascent seedling intent on researching the world and bettering the landscape emerges, an understanding tree begins to anchors itself, considering the world around it.

 Some seeds of inquiry begin their journey as soon as they are shed from their mothering flower, while others are stowed away in a dry dark place awaiting the day that a burgeoning mind would be the perfect soil for sprouting roots of research and discovery.

The journey of my understanding tree began at as a child. Always inquisitive, always asking the how, where, what, when, and why questions, but never being able to truly explain the things I observed. It wasn’t until a science teacher tilled the soil of my mind with the scientific method. She oxygenated my fertile mind, making the soil perfect for planting a seed of inquiry; but being so young, I did not know what to do with this seed of knowledge or how to properly nurture it to ensure its growth, so I took my seed of inquiry and stored it away in the recesses of my mind, awaiting the day that the right conditions would allow for it to truly thrive.

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have mentors and educators that encouraged the scientific method, that have engendered a sense of importance in research and discovery. Always did their sunny wisdom beckon for my seed to be planted, and even though the soil of my mind seemed right for planting, it was hindered by the weeds inability to protect a seedling allowing it to become a mature understanding tree.

During my initial nursing education, the soil of my mind became even more enriched with empowerment, nurturance, and insight into how research can not only explain the world around me but how it can make it better. The farmers of my nursing education mounded row after row of evidence based research, sowing its benefits in the growing field of nursing, fertilizing my passion for nursing. Finally the the missing component of my soil had been realized, it was the fruit of my labor which allowed me to finally cultivate my seed of inquiry.

I planted my understanding tree two years ago and it has been growing ever since. Its roots have taken hold and the emerging sapling has turned into a healthy juvenile tree that branches out daily to soak in the sun of science, the water of nursing, and the nutrients of research. I continually fertilize it with the discovery of new findings while setting it in the sun of future prosperities and advancements in the field of nursing. I know now that all the fruits of tomorrow are in the seeds of today, and each seed has its time and place to be planted.

With the right amount of sun, water, and fresh air of perspective, one seed of inquiry can mature into a everlasting understanding tree. A tree that flowers, fruits, and sheds its seeds so that they can be grown in the enriched minds of others. Inside each of us there are seeds of inquiry awaiting to unlock the world around us. Using the power of research to help discover and explain life leads to greater knowledge and expansion of universal understanding. Is the soil of your mind ready for to grow an understanding tree?