How to Write Nursing Thesis Statements – Basics of Thesis Statements

How to Write Nursing Thesis Statements – Basics of Thesis Statements

Title: Writing Effective Nursing Thesis Statements

Thesis Statement Essentials

Do you know how to create strong nursing thesis statements? A thesis statement is a concise expression of the central argument and purpose of your paper. It’s often referred to simply as a “thesis.” Every academic paper, including those in nursing, should have a thesis statement. Strong thesis statements are clear, specific, and debatable. “Concise” means that the thesis is brief, usually one or two sentences for shorter papers. “Specific” means that the thesis addresses a narrow, focused topic appropriate for the paper’s length. “Debatable” means that someone in your field could disagree with it.

Strong thesis statements tackle specific intellectual questions, present clear positions, and follow the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn how to craft a compelling thesis statement.

Being Specific in Nursing Thesis Statements

This thesis statement lacks specificity:

– Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

While this statement is concise, it lacks specificity and is not debatable. A reader might ask, “Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?” Furthermore, the paper’s purpose, to “examine…similarities and differences,” is not at a scholarly level. Analyzing these similarities and differences to draw meaningful conclusions is what’s expected in academic writing.

– Improved: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler’s (2003) autocratic management style, combined with Smith’s (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce expenses related to employee turnover.

The revised statement remains concise while becoming specific and debatable. It specifies the articles and authors, mentions the field (business), and addresses the topic (management and employee turnover). This statement is arguable because it goes beyond comparison and makes a conclusion based on the comparison.

Writing a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the assignment’s language without presenting a unique argument:

– Needs Improvement: The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.

In this example, the student merely restates the paper’s assignment without explaining how they will address it. To improve it, the student should rephrase the thesis as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

– Improved: Through student interviews, I discovered that Kennedy High School’s antibullying program was ineffective. To address conflicts among students, I propose that Kennedy High School adopt policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

The revised statement is specific, debatable, and demonstrates the student’s critical analysis of the assignment prompt.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement presents an obvious fact or plot summary rather than an argument:

– Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

To determine if your thesis statement is too broad, ask yourself, “Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?” In this case, it’s unlikely that any scholar would argue that leadership isn’t important for nurse educators. A shorter paper requires a more focused topic.

– Improved: Roderick’s (2009) theory of participatory leadership is especially suitable for nurse educators in emergency medicine, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

In the revised statement, the topic is narrower (participatory leadership), and the claim is more arguable. It suggests that this leadership style is suitable for a specific type of nurse educator. A scholar in the field might disagree, making it a debatable thesis.

Choosing the Right Language

This thesis statement uses large, scholarly-sounding words that lack substance:

– Needs Improvement: Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.

While some words may be buzzwords or key terms in the field, they don’t communicate a clear meaning when used together. Scholarly writing should prioritize clarity and simplicity.

Hospital-At-Home: Understanding the Impact on Nurses and Nursing Education

– Improved: Ecologists should educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by collaborating with local and national green organizations to develop a comprehensive communication plan.

The revised statement is clear, specific, and uses field-specific language. It conveys the ideas effectively.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement can’t be developed further in the paper:

– Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This statement is too broad for a paper’s introduction. It leaves no room for further discussion or development. Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore throughout the entire paper.

– Improved: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may involve a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, supported by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

The revised thesis is specific and debatable, allowing for an in-depth exploration in the paper. It suggests further points of discussion.
Extra Tips on Crafting Nursing Thesis Statements

Thesis Mad Libs: If you’re stuck, use the following templates to create a rough thesis statement:

– In this essay, I argue ____,

using ______ to assert _____.
– While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
– Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and Embrace: When crafting your thesis statement, avoid words like “explore,” “investigate,” “learn,” “compile,” “summarize,” and “explain” to describe your paper’s main purpose. These words suggest a summary rather than analysis.

Instead, use words like “argue,” “critique,” “question,” and “interrogate.” These words convey a more analytical and scholarly approach.