A nursing friend recently asked me about the types of questions we’re receiving from nurses via AskTrip. Since we don’t record the profession of everyone who submits a question, I can’t say exactly what nurses are asking. What I could do, however, was analyse the 40 questions that directly focused on nursing – a reasonable sample to identify patterns. And 4 themes emerged:

Clinical Practice & Patient Care
This theme captures the heart of nursing – the direct application of skill and evidence to improve patient outcomes. The questions reveal a profession dedicated to continuous quality improvement and safety, seeking out evidence-based practices (EBP) in everything from preventing infections like CLABSIs to the simple act of bathing in a nursing home. There is a strong focus on highly specialised areas (e.g., managing chest drains in neonates after cardiac surgery, providing palliative care education), and a push to empower patients, such as assessing the competence of diabetic patients to self-manage. Ultimately, this theme is about defining and standardising the best possible care across all clinical settings, from the Emergency Department (ED) to the community.

Example questions:

  • What are some nurse-driven evidence-based projects by nurses?
  • How can nurses care for and manage chest drains in babies following cardiac surgery?

Nursing Roles & Specialisation
Nursing is no longer a one-size-fits-all profession! These questions underscore the dramatic specialisation and diversification occurring within the field. From comparing the functions of a State Diploma Coordinator Nurse versus an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in oncology, to understanding the implementation experiences of APNs, nurses are constantly negotiating their scope of practice. The demand for specialist roles – like the Frailty Nurse Specialist who optimises patient flow, or the Head and Neck Cancer Nurse Specialist – shows that hospitals rely on nurses to manage complex patient pathways and drive efficient, coordinated care. This theme explores how nurses are elevating their professional role to meet sophisticated healthcare demands.

Example questions:

  • What are the roles or functions of a State Diploma Coordinator Nurse versus an Advanced Practice Nurse in oncology?
  • What is the role of a frailty nurse specialist in front-door assessment, admission avoidance, safe discharge planning, and the implementation of least restrictive options in acute care settings?

Education & Professional Development
This grouping dives into how the next generation of nurses is trained, supported, and nurtured. It’s not just about skills; there is a deep academic interest in how nurses acquire professional virtues – the ethical and moral compass – which is fundamental to the profession. Practically, the questions stress the importance of effective teaching and mentorship, focusing on tools like preceptor feedback instruments to improve communication on placement and the use of ePortfolios to support student learning. Whether it’s through innovative continuous professional development (CPD) methods like “Tea-Trolley Teaching” or formalised annual competencies, this theme highlights the commitment to ensuring all nurses remain highly skilled and ethically grounded throughout their careers.

Example questions:

  • How do nurses acquire, develop, or learn virtues for practice?
  • Are there preceptor feedback tools that facilitate communication between preceptors and preceptees to improve nursing academic outcomes?

Workforce, Organisation & Policy
The final theme addresses the crucial, high-level issues impacting the sustainability and health of the nursing workforce. Questions here center on policy and operational efficiency, including the search for safe staffing ratios and frameworks, particularly in high-demand areas like the ED. The profession is actively tackling burnout and retention by seeking organisational interventions to support new nurses. Furthermore, the interest in creating nursing float pools speaks to the need for flexible, effective staffing solutions. This theme encompasses the external factors that influence the profession, including the impact of social media portrayal on public perception and recruitment, making it a critical area for leadership and policy reform.

Example questions:

  • What is the evidence base for safe nursing staffing in emergency departments internationally?
  • What organisational interventions have been used to reduce burnout and increase retention in new nurses?

    Taken together, these 40 questions paint a picture of a profession that is dynamic, diverse, and deeply committed to improvement. Nurses are seeking evidence not only to refine clinical practice at the bedside, but also to expand their roles, strengthen education and professional development, and influence the policies that shape their working lives. The themes suggest a workforce that is both responsive to today’s challenges and actively shaping the future of healthcare.