Step-by-Step Guide to Literature Review, Methodology, and Implementation in NUR 355

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Step-by-Step Guide to Literature Review, Methodology, and Implementation in NUR 355

The NUR 355 course (often titled Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Practice, or Nursing Inquiry) teaches undergraduate nursing students how to apply research skills to improve patient care. A major component is completing a mini research project or evidence-based practice (EBP) paper that includes a literature review, methodology, and—depending on the institution—an implementation or application plan.

This step-by-step guide will help you successfully complete the literature review, methodology, and implementation plan for NUR 355.

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1. Step-by-Step Guide to the Literature Review

A strong literature review builds the foundation for the rest of your project.

Step 1: Identify Your Clinical or Research Problem

Your topic should be:

• Relevant to nursing practice

• Supported by available peer-reviewed evidence

• Narrow enough to research effectively

Examples

• Reducing hospital-acquired infections with hand hygiene compliance programs

• Improving patient mobility using nurse-led interventions

• Reducing nurse burnout through mindfulness training

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Step 2: Search for Evidence

Use scholarly databases:

• CINAHL

• PubMed

• ProQuest

• Google Scholar (supplemental only)

Include:

• Peer-reviewed research (quantitative, qualitative, systematic reviews)

• Evidence from the last 5–7 years

• Nursing and interdisciplinary studies

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Step 3: Organize the Literature

Create a matrix summarizing each article:

• Author/year

• Purpose

• Design

• Sample

• Findings

• Level of evidence

• Relevance to your problem

This helps you synthesize instead of summarizing.

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Step 4: Synthesize the Findings

A good literature review:

• Identifies themes (e.g., benefits of early mobility)

• Discusses gaps (e.g., limited research in rural settings)

• Connects the evidence to your problem

Example Synthesis

“Across multiple randomized controlled trials, early mobility programs consistently reduced length of stay by 1–2 days, demonstrating strong support for including mobility protocols in acute care settings.”

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Step 5: Write the Literature Review

Follow structure:

1. Introduction – What the problem is and why it matters

2. Themes/sections – Organized discussion of research

3. Gaps – Where more research is needed

4. Conclusion – How evidence supports your proposed project

Use APA 7 formatting.

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2. Developing the Methodology for NUR 355

Methodology explains how you will investigate your problem or EBP question.

You are not expected to conduct full research—only to show you understand the research process.

Step 1: Select a Research or EBP Approach

Most NUR 355 projects use:

• Evidence-Based Practice Model (e.g., PICOT)

• Quality Improvement Approach

• Basic quantitative or qualitative design

If using PICOT

Develop a question like:

“In hospitalized adults (P), does early mobility (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce length of stay (O) within four weeks (T)?”

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Step 2: Describe Your Research Design

Depending on the assignment:

Quantitative examples

• Cross-sectional survey

• Pre-test/post-test

• Descriptive or correlational design

Qualitative examples

• Thematic interviews

• Focus groups

EBP/QI examples

• Implementing a best-practice protocol

• Measuring compliance

• Evaluating outcomes such as satisfaction or falls

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Step 3: Identify the Sample and Setting

Who would participate?

• Patients

• Nurses

• Clinical units or departments

Describe:

• Inclusion/exclusion criteria

• Estimated sample size

• Setting (hospital, clinic, home health, community, etc.)

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Step 4: Data Collection Methods

Common tools:

• Surveys

• Chart audits

• Observations

• Interviews

Be clear on:

• What data you need

• Why it is appropriate

• How it will be collected

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Step 5: Data Analysis Plan

Explain how you will analyze the data:

Quantitative

• Percentages

• Averages

• Pre-/post-comparisons

Qualitative

• Themes

• Coding

• Patterns in interviews or observations

EBP/QI

• Metrics before and after intervention

• Compliance rates

• Outcome changes

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Step 6: Address Ethical Considerations

Even in a simulated project:

• Protect privacy

• Maintain confidentiality

• Obtain consent if involving real participants (often not required in NUR 355)

• Use de-identified data

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3. Step-by-Step Guide to the Implementation Plan

If your NUR 355 has an applied or practice component, you will develop an implementation plan (even if you don’t actually carry it out).

Step 1: Identify the Intervention

This should align with your literature review.

Examples:

• Implementing hourly rounding to reduce falls

• Using a new patient education tool

• Introducing a breathing exercise program for anxiety

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Step 2: Create an Implementation Timeline

A simple 4–6 week schedule works well.

Include:

• Orientation/training

• Launch of intervention

• Ongoing monitoring

• Evaluation phase

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Step 3: Identify Stakeholders

Typical stakeholders:

• Nurse managers

• Staff nurses

• Patients

• Educators

• Quality improvement teams

Explain their roles.

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Step 4: Describe Resources Needed

• Staff time

• Training materials

• Checklists

• Equipment

• Data collection instruments

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Step 5: Evaluation Plan

Explain how you will assess success:

• Fall rates pre/post

• Patient satisfaction scores

• Pain scores

• Infection rates

• Nurse feedback

Use measurable outcomes.

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Step 6: Expected Results and Conclusion

Summarize:

• How your intervention aligns with literature

• What improvements you expect

• Why the intervention benefits patients and staff

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Final Tips for Success in NUR 355

✔ Choose a topic early
✔ Stay organized using a literature matrix
✔ Follow APA 7
✔ Connect all sections logically
✔ Focus on evidence, not opinion
✔ Seek feedback from your instructor

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If you’d like, I can also create:
✅ A sample NUR 355 literature review (3–5 pages)
✅ A full PICOT example tailored to your topic
✅ A template for methodology and implementation
✅ A PowerPoint template for your final presentation