Writing a thesis
Students have the opportunity to conduct scholarly inquiry and publish their final paper as a thesis. Nursing students must identify a problem in nursing, review academic literature, and develop advanced research skills. A committee or advisor in the thesis phase guides students through the final oral defense. This process takes about two semesters. There are some nursing programs that offer a non-thesis option. This allows students to complete a final capstone project, or oral examination, on topics such as nursing theories or clinical practices. The requirements and process for this thesis vary from school to school. The final examination includes both written and oral portions. Learn how to choose a topic for your thesis and defend it orally.
Choosing Your Nursing Thesis Topic
Nursing students must choose their thesis topic before they start the research and writing process. This is usually done within the first two terms. A strong thesis must be original and have a research scope that is manageable. It should also be worthy of academic pursuit. Each student will need to consult a thesis advisor or a professor of research to help them choose a topic. In the conceptual phase, candidates search for potential topics that fit their nursing interests. Students can start with a broad topic, such as obesity, weight management depression or heart disease. bachelor students may choose to narrow their thesis topic by focusing on current issues or racial groups. After the proposal is approved, students can begin work on the approved thesis topic. This is necessary for graduate students to earn a bachelor's in nursing. The thesis process also allows future nurses to dive into current academic literature and collaborate in research with professors and other students. A thesis can also serve to establish the foundation for master's research. A dissertation is a master's thesis.
Completing Your Nursing Thesis
Brainstorming a thesis topic can begin as early as the first semester in a program in nursing. The formal thesis process, which usually spans multiple terms, doesn't take place until the student is in their final year. Each school has its own requirements and students must meet certain deadlines and take prerequisite classes before they can submit their thesis. Candidates take a class in public health before they submit a proposal for a thesis. They also work under the guidance of a thesis advisor and committee. Writing a thesis teaches students the skills of original investigation data collection, research design, and public speaking. Candidates are also able to sharpen their analytical thinking skills and master a specific field of nursing by writing a thesis. They can submit their thesis electronically or as a bound manuscript. The final thesis must be submitted in writing. Students can also defend it orally before the committee. Many graduates also submit manuscripts to be published.
Presenting Your Nursing Thesis
students typically defend their proposal orally and present their final thesis to their committee. The committee also includes the thesis advisor, a faculty member with expertise in the nursing discipline relevant to their scholarly inquiry. A thesis committee typically has three members. Fellow graduate students and consultants from outside the college can attend presentations if it is open to all. The thesis defense is an open session where students present their findings. The oral exam of the thesis lasts approximately one hour. However, depending on how many questions are being asked by the committee, the committee will spend more time evaluating the thesis to determine how the student's research experience has shaped their graduate education and how relevant the findings are to the nursing field. After the exam ends, the committee will either accept or reject the thesis defense.
