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nursing research topics 2026
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blog
Date Posted
February 9, 2026
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  • Jared L

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Top 220 Nursing Research Topics for 2026: From Telehealth Ethics to AI in Diagnostics

Colleges and universities require nursing students to write a nursing research paper before they finish their degrees. It takes time and effort to devise an interesting research topic. The pre-writing phase influences the entire research process. In particular, brainstorming a suitable nursing research topic can be frustrating. In this article, our writers propose 220 topics you can consider as tips in developing your topic. Feel free to customize your selected topic to suit your area of research interest

a. Clinical/Hospital-Based Nursing

1) 10 Research Topics for Medical-Surgical Nursing

  1. Cultural competence in medical-surgical nursing and its influence on treatment adherence
  2. Effect of electronic health record (EHR) optimization on documentation accuracy and nurse workflow
  3. Effectiveness of personalized pain management protocols in post-operative medical-surgical patients
  4. Fatigue, staffing ratios, and patient outcomes in high-acuity medical-surgical units
  5. Impact of AI-assisted early warning systems on patient deterioration in medical-surgical units
  6. Nurse-driven early mobilization protocols and their impact on length of hospital stay
  7. Nurse-led interventions to reduce hospital-acquired infections using smart monitoring technologies
  8. Patient perceptions of tele-nursing follow-up after medical-surgical discharge
  9. Role of medical-surgical nurses in preventing readmissions through transitional care models
  10. Use of virtual reality (VR) for pre- and post-operative patient education in medical-surgical care

2) 10 Research Topics for Pediatric Nursing

These are potential nursing topics relevant when pursuing a career on providing care for infants, children, and teens:

  1. Effectiveness of family-centered care models on hospitalized children’s recovery outcomes
  2. Impact of screen time on sleep patterns and behavioral health in school-aged children
  3. Nurse-led interventions to reduce anxiety in children undergoing medical procedures
  4. Role of pediatric nurses in early identification and management of childhood obesity
  5. Use of telehealth in pediatric chronic disease management: A nursing perspective
  6. Pain assessment challenges in non-verbal pediatric patients
  7. Effectiveness of immunization education programs delivered by pediatric nurses
  8. Impact of hospital environment on stress levels of hospitalized children
  9. Parental stress and coping strategies during a child’s hospitalization
  10. Pediatric nurses’ role in preventing medication errors in children

3) Obstetric & Gynecological (OB-GYN) Nursing

These research topics are relevant if you want a topic on pregnancy, labor, delivery, women’s health:

  1. Effect of antenatal education programs led by nurses on breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates
  2. Effectiveness of nurse-led prenatal telehealth programs on maternal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies
  3. Gynecological nurses’ role in early detection and education related to cervical cancer using HPV self-sampling
  4. Impact of continuous labor support provided by nurses on mode of delivery and birth satisfaction
  5. Impact of nurse-provided contraceptive counseling on informed choice and method continuation
  6. Nurse-driven interventions to reduce postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource settings
  7. Postpartum depression screening by nurses: barriers, facilitators, and outcomes
  8. Use of digital fetal monitoring tools and their influence on clinical decision-making in labor units
  9. Women’s experiences with respectful maternity care and the role of OB-GYN Nurses
  10. Workload, burnout, and compassion fatigue among OB-GYN nurses and its effect on quality of care

4) Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing

These nursing research topics concern mental illness, emotional and behavioral care:

  1. Burnout, moral distress, and retention among mental health nurses in post-pandemic healthcare systems
  2. Cultural competence in psychiatric nursing and its influence on mental health outcomes
  3. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions delivered by nurses for patients with severe mental illness
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led digital mental health interventions in managing depression and anxiety
  5. Family involvement in mental health nursing care and its impact on treatment adherence
  6. Impact of trauma-informed nursing care on patient recovery in acute psychiatric units
  7. Mental health nurses’ role in early identification and support of adolescents with behavioral and emotional disorders
  8. Patient experiences of telepsychiatry services provided by psychiatric nurses
  9. Reducing the use of restraints: nurse-led de-escalation strategies in inpatient psychiatric settings
  10. Role of psychiatric nurses in suicide risk assessment using AI-supported screening tools

5) Critical Care / ICU Nursing

These topics suit when you want to research on topics related to life-threatening conditions, high-intensity care

  1. Alarm fatigue in ICUs: Impact on nurse performance and patient safety
  2. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress among ICU nurses and their impact on patient outcomes
  3. Effect of nurse-driven sepsis bundles on mortality rates in adult intensive care units
  4. Effectiveness of early mobility programs implemented by ICU nurses on ventilator-associated outcomes
  5. End-of-life decision-making in the ICU: Experiences of critical care nurses
  6. Family presence during critical care procedures: Perceptions of ICU nurses and families
  7. ICU nurses’ role in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia through evidence-based practices
  8. Impact of AI-driven predictive analytics on early detection of clinical deterioration in ICU patients
  9. Nurse-led sedation and delirium management protocols and their effect on ICU length of stay
  10. Use of continuous non-invasive monitoring technologies in critical care nursing practice

6) Emergency / Trauma Nursing

These nursing research topics suits when exploring fast-paced care for accidents and emergencies.

  1. Burnout, moral distress, and turnover intentions among emergency nurses in high-volume eds
  2. Effectiveness of AI-supported triage systems on patient flow and outcomes in emergency departments
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led pain management strategies in emergency trauma care
  4. Emergency nurses’ role in early recognition and management of sepsis in trauma patients
  5. Impact of workplace violence on emergency nurses’ mental health and clinical performance
  6. Nurse-led trauma protocols and their impact on time-to-intervention in polytrauma patients
  7. Overcrowding in emergency departments: nursing strategies to improve patient safety and flow
  8. Psychological first aid delivered by emergency nurses to trauma victims and families
  9. Simulation-based trauma training and its impact on emergency nurses’ clinical competence
  10. Use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by emergency nurses in trauma assessment

7) Oncology Nursing

These topics are relevant for nursing students interested on researching on cancer treatment and patient support.

  1. Burnout and compassion fatigue among oncology nurses and its impact on quality of care
  2. Cultural competence in oncology nursing and its influence on treatment adherence and patient trust
  3. Effect of nurse-provided palliative care integration on quality of life in advanced cancer patients
  4. Effectiveness of digital tools in supporting self-management among cancer survivors
  5. Impact of tele-oncology nursing follow-up on treatment adherence and early symptom reporting
  6. Nurse-led symptom management programs for patients receiving immunotherapy
  7. Oncology nurses’ role in early detection and management of treatment-related adverse events
  8. Patient experiences of nurse-led genetic counseling and education in hereditary cancer risk
  9. Psychological distress and coping strategies among patients undergoing long-term cancer treatment
  10. Use of artificial intelligence–supported clinical decision tools in oncology nursing practice

8) Cardiac Nursing

Nursing students can also consider these nursing research topics on caring for heart and cardiovascular conditions.

  1. Cultural and socioeconomic factors affecting cardiac care outcomes: Implications for nursing practice
  2. Effect of nurse-led lifestyle counseling on hypertension control in high-risk populations
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led remote monitoring programs for patients with heart failure
  4. Impact of artificial intelligence–Assisted ecg interpretation on early cardiac event detection by nurses
  5. Nurse-driven cardiac rehabilitation programs and their effect on long-term patient outcomes
  6. Patient adherence to cardiac medications: Nursing interventions and influencing factors
  7. Psychological distress in post–myocardial infarction patients and the role of cardiac nurses
  8. Role of cardiac nurses in preventing hospital readmissions after acute coronary syndrome
  9. Use of wearable cardiac devices in home-based care: A nursing perspective
  10. Workload, burnout, and job satisfaction among cardiac nurses and its impact on quality of care

9) Neonatal Nursing (NICU)

These topics are relevant when studying on care for premature or critically ill newborns.

  1. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and resilience among neonatal nurses in high-acuity NICU settings
  2. Cultural Beliefs and Practices Affecting Neonatal Care: Implications for NICU Nursing Practice
  3. Effect of early enteral feeding protocols managed by NICU nurses on feeding tolerance and growth
  4. Effectiveness of continuous non-invasive monitoring technologies in early detection of neonatal deterioration
  5. Impact of nurse-led developmental care practices on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants
  6. Nurse-guided kangaroo mother care and its influence on physiological stability in very low birth weight infants
  7. Pain assessment and management in non-verbal neonates: Challenges and nursing innovations
  8. Parental stress and coping in the NICU: Role of neonatal nurses in family support
  9. Prevention of central line–associated bloodstream infections through nurse-led care bundles in NICUs
  10. Use of tele-NICU services to support parental engagement and continuity of care

b. Community & Public Health Nursing

These fields focus on on prevention, education, and population health.

 

10) Public Health Nursing

The nursing research topics are relevant if studying community health programs and disease prevention.

  1. Cultural competence of public health nurses and its impact on health equity in multicultural communities
  2. Effectiveness of mobile health applications used by public health nurses for patient education and engagement
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led community vaccination programs on immunization coverage in rural areas
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led health education programs on reducing childhood obesity
  5. Impact of nurse-led maternal health outreach programs on antenatal care attendance
  6. Impact of public health nursing interventions on reducing vaccine hesitancy during global health crises
  7. Impact of telehealth interventions by public health nurses on chronic disease management in underserved populations
  8. Public health nurses’ role in disaster preparedness and community resilience
  9. Role of community health nurses in preventing non-communicable diseases through lifestyle counseling
  10. Role of public health nurses in early detection and prevention of mental health disorders in adolescents

11) School Nursing

These nursing research topics are on student health, first aid, and health education.

  1. Effectiveness of injury prevention programs implemented by school nurses in reducing sports-related injuries
  2. Effectiveness of nurse-led stress reduction and mindfulness programs on adolescent well-being
  3. Effectiveness of school nurse–delivered health education on adolescent obesity prevention
  4. Impact of nurse-led mental health screening programs on early detection of anxiety and depression in students
  5. Impact of school nurse–led vaccination programs on immunization rates and student health
  6. Impact of school-based nurse interventions on reducing communicable disease spread
  7. Role of school nurses in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity among students
  8. Role of school nurses in managing chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes) and improving academic performance
  9. School nurses’ role in identifying and preventing bullying-related physical and mental health issues
  10. Use of telehealth by school nurses for remote management of student health needs

12) Community Health Nursing

These topics are valuable starting points when researching on home visits and outreach programs.

  1. Community health nurses’ role in improving vaccination coverage and reducing vaccine hesitancy
  2. Community health nursing interventions to reduce the spread of communicable diseases in high-risk areas
  3. Effectiveness of community health nurse–led telemonitoring programs for elderly patients with chronic conditions
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led community health education programs on non-communicable disease prevention
  5. Effectiveness of nurse-led maternal and child health programs on antenatal care attendance and birth outcomes
  6. Impact of community-based health promotion programs on lifestyle changes and obesity reduction
  7. Impact of telehealth interventions by community health nurses on chronic disease management in rural populations
  8. Influence of cultural competence of community health nurses on health outcomes in multicultural communities
  9. Role of community health nurses in disaster preparedness and emergency response at the local level
  10. Role of community health nurses in early detection and prevention of mental health disorders in vulnerable populations

13) Occupational/Industrial Nursing

Research topics concerning employee health and workplace safety include:

  1. Assessment of ergonomic interventions by occupational nurses and their impact on employee productivity and injury rates
  2. Effectiveness of nurse-led workplace wellness programs on reducing employee burnout and stress
  3. Effectiveness of stress management interventions by occupational nurses in high-pressure work environments
  4. Effectiveness of telehealth in occupational health nursing for remote workforce monitoring
  5. Impact of nurse-led health promotion programs on reducing cardiovascular risk factors among employees
  6. Impact of occupational health nursing interventions on preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders
  7. Influence of safety culture education led by industrial nurses on accident rates in manufacturing settings
  8. Occupational nurses’ role in reducing workplace violence and promoting safety in high-risk industries
  9. Role of industrial nurses in early detection and management of occupational respiratory diseases
  10. Role of occupational health nurses in managing workplace pandemic preparedness and infection control

c. Home & Long-Term Care Nursing

The categories of topics under home and long-term care analysis are ideal for those who prefer studying on ongoing patient relationships.

14) Home Health Nursing

Research on in-home patient care can be under these topics.

  1. Cultural competence in home health nursing and its influence on patient satisfaction and health outcomes
  2. Effectiveness of home-based rehabilitation programs led by nurses on patient functional recovery
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led pain management strategies for palliative and end-of-life patients at home
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led telehealth programs on managing chronic diseases in homebound patients
  5. Home health nurses’ role in managing infectious disease outbreaks within homebound populations
  6. Impact of home health nursing interventions on reducing hospital readmissions among elderly patients
  7. Impact of home health nursing on caregiver stress and coping in families of chronically ill patients
  8. Role of home health nurses in preventing falls among elderly patients living at home
  9. Role of home health nurses in promoting medication adherence in patients with multiple chronic conditions
  10. Use of wearable health monitoring devices by home health nurses to track patient vital signs

15) Geriatric Nursing

These are some of the topics you can choose from on elderly care.

  1. Cultural competence of geriatric nurses and its influence on elderly patient satisfaction and health outcomes
  2. Effectiveness of home-based nursing interventions in reducing hospital readmissions among older adults
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led exercise and mobility programs on functional independence in elderly patients
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led fall prevention programs on reducing injuries in older adults
  5. Impact of nurse-led palliative care on quality of life in older adults with life-limiting illnesses
  6. Impact of polypharmacy management by geriatric nurses on medication safety and adherence in older adults
  7. Impact of telehealth interventions by geriatric nurses on managing chronic conditions in older adults
  8. Role of geriatric nurses in early detection and management of cognitive impairment and dementia
  9. Role of geriatric nurses in supporting mental health and reducing loneliness among older adults
  10. Use of wearable health monitoring devices by geriatric nurses to track vital signs and detect early health decline

16) Hospice & Palliative Care Nursing

Nursing students seeking to research on end-of-life comfort and support can borrow from these topics.

  1. Cultural competence in hospice nursing and its effect on end-of-life care satisfaction across diverse populations
  2. Effectiveness of advance care planning discussions led by nurses on patient autonomy and decision-making
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led community outreach programs to increase awareness and utilization of palliative care services
  4. Effectiveness of nurse-led early palliative care in improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer
  5. Effectiveness of nurse-led palliative care interventions on symptom management in terminally ill patients
  6. Impact of palliative care education programs on nurses’ competence, confidence, and compassion fatigue
  7. Impact of telehealth palliative care services on patient and family satisfaction in home-based hospice care
  8. Role of hospice nurses in managing psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression in terminal patients
  9. Role of hospice nurses in supporting family caregivers’ mental health and coping strategies
  10. Use of integrative therapies (music, aromatherapy, massage) by palliative nurses and their impact on patient comfort

17) Rehabilitation Nursing

If you want a research topic on recovery after illness or injury, feel free to use any of these.

  1. Effectiveness of nurse-led cognitive rehabilitation programs for patients with traumatic brain injury
  2. Effectiveness of nurse-led early mobilization programs on functional recovery in post-stroke patients
  3. Effectiveness of rehabilitation nurse-led education programs on caregiver training and patient outcomes
  4. Impact of multidisciplinary nurse-led rehabilitation programs on quality of life in amputee patients
  5. Impact of nurse-led exercise and physical therapy programs on reducing frailty in elderly patients
  6. Impact of tele-rehabilitation interventions on patient adherence and outcomes in home-based care
  7. Rehabilitation nurses’ role in psychological support for patients undergoing long-term recovery
  8. Role of rehabilitation nurses in managing pain and spasticity in patients with neurological disorders
  9. Role of rehabilitation nurses in preventing complications in spinal cord injury patients
  10. Use of wearable devices by rehabilitation nurses to monitor patient progress and mobility

d. Advanced Practice & Specialized Nursing

18) Nurse Practitioner (NP)

These topics offer useful ideas to consider when devising a nursing research project on advanced diagnosis and treatment.

  1. Cultural competence in NP practice and its impact on patient satisfaction and health outcomes in diverse populations
  2. Effectiveness of NP-led mental health interventions in primary care settings
  3. Effectiveness of nurse practitioner-led lifestyle modification programs on obesity and cardiovascular risk reduction
  4. Effectiveness of nurse practitioner-led telehealth clinics on chronic disease management outcomes
  5. Impact of NP-led community health initiatives on vaccine uptake and public health awareness
  6. Impact of nurse practitioner-driven preventive care programs on early detection of cancer in primary care
  7. Nurse practitioners’ role in enhancing medication adherence in patients with polypharmacy
  8. Role of nurse practitioners in managing post-acute care patients to improve functional outcomes and reduce readmissions
  9. Role of nurse practitioners in reducing hospital readmissions through transitional care interventions
  10. Use of artificial intelligence decision-support tools by NPs and their impact on clinical outcomes

19) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

If researching on expertise in a specialty area, you can get an idea from these nursing research topics.

  1. CNS role in integrating telehealth services for chronic disease management
  2. Effectiveness of CNS-driven pain management programs on patient satisfaction and outcomes
  3. Effectiveness of CNS-led multidisciplinary rounds on improving patient outcomes and care coordination
  4. Effectiveness of CNS-led programs in supporting staff well-being and reducing burnout
  5. Effectiveness of CNS-led staff education programs on reducing medication errors
  6. Impact of clinical nurse specialist interventions on reducing readmissions in heart failure patients
  7. Impact of CNS-driven quality improvement initiatives on patient safety and clinical outcomes
  8. Impact of CNS-led evidence-based protocols on reducing hospital-acquired infections
  9. Role of CNS in enhancing nurse competence in palliative care and symptom management
  10. Role of CNSs in implementing nurse-led early warning systems to detect patient deterioration

20) Nurse Midwife

If concentrating on pregnancy, childbirth, women’s health, seek inspiration from these nursing research topics.

  1. Effectiveness of nurse midwife-led breastfeeding education on initiation and continuation rates
  2. Effectiveness of nurse midwife-led group antenatal care on maternal and neonatal outcomes
  3. Effectiveness of nurse midwife-led postnatal home visits on early detection of neonatal complications
  4. Impact of midwife-led continuity of care models on maternal mental health and postpartum depression
  5. Impact of midwife-led family planning counseling on contraceptive uptake and reproductive health outcomes
  6. Impact of midwife-led telehealth consultations on high-risk pregnancy management
  7. Role of nurse midwives in promoting respectful maternity care and reducing birth trauma
  8. Role of nurse midwives in reducing cesarean section rates through evidence-based labor support
  9. Role of nurse midwives in reducing postpartum hemorrhage through evidence-based interventions
  10. Use of mobile health applications by nurse midwives to enhance maternal and infant health education

e. Alternative Nursing Careers

These topics suit those who want research projects that do not have to do with bedside care.

22) Telehealth / Telenursing

Some of the topics relevant to nursing research on remote patient care include:

  1. Barriers and facilitators to telehealth adoption among older adults: A nursing perspective
  2. Cultural competence in telenursing and its influence on patient engagement and health outcomes
  3. Effectiveness of nurse-led telehealth interventions on chronic disease management outcomes
  4. Effectiveness of tele-mental health nursing interventions on anxiety and depression management
  5. Ethical and legal challenges in telehealth nursing practice and their impact on patient safety
  6. Impact of nurse-led teletriage services on emergency department utilization
  7. Impact of remote patient monitoring technologies on early detection of clinical deterioration by telenurses
  8. Patient satisfaction and quality of care in nurse-provided telehealth services compared to in-person care
  9. Role of telenursing in reducing hospital readmissions among recently discharged patients
  10. Workload, burnout, and job satisfaction among telenurses in virtual care settings

Conclusion

The list is not conclusive. However, it provides ideas that you can explore in your research project. Whichever topic you choose, customize it to ensure it is specific and narrowly-focused to fill a clear and adequately-defined research gap. 

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FAQs

1. What is the main difference between APA and MLA citation styles?
The primary difference lies in their in-text citation formats and the disciplines they serve. APA uses the author-date system, e.g., (Alfred, 2025), which highlights the currency of research. It is ideal for the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, education, and sociology. MLA uses the author-page number system, e.g., (Alfred 45), focusing on the precise source location, making it more suitable for the humanities, like literature, philosophy, and the arts.
2. When should I use APA style instead of MLA?
Use APA style when writing for disciplines that value timely, empirical research and require a standardized format for presenting data. Some of the disciplines include psychology, education, social work, business, nursing, and health sciences. APA is ideal for research papers, case studies, theoretical articles, or anything involving quantitative data or scientific methodology. Consider cues like the need for an abstract, reporting results, or citing recent studies. These cues often indicate APA is appropriate.
3. Can I mix APA and MLA styles in the same paper?
No, mixing APA and MLA styles is not recommended. Academic writing requires consistency in formatting to maintain clarity, credibility, and professionalism. Once you've identified the correct style for your assignment, stick to it throughout the entire document.
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Jared L.

Jared is a writer at ScholarlyWritings.com and has helped thousands of students learn how to craft original essays. He is an expert in different essay formats. He spends most of his time writing essays and research papers.

Sources

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Modern Language Association of America. (2021). MLA handbook (9th ed.). The Modern Language Association of America.

Modern Language Association. (n.d.). MLA history. https://www.mla.org/About-Us/About-the-MLA/MLA-Archives/Time-Lines/MLA-History

Purdue Owl. (2021). MLA formatting and style guide. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html

Schwartz, B. M., Landrum, R. E., & Gurung, R. A. (2014). An easy guide to APA style. SAGE Publications.

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Top 220 Nursing Research Topics for 2026: From Telehealth Ethics to AI in Diagnostics