Make research an integral part of your education at MSU

Michigan State University considers inclusion of undergraduate students in research a high priority. Through MSU’s Undergraduate Research program, students have increased opportunities to engage in scholarship with expert faculty and partners in a variety of academic disciplines.

The College of Nursing offers opportunities for undergraduate students to become involved in nursing research through coursework and mentored research experiences.

Competitive project stipends are available — up to $1,500 — for undergraduate nursing students to assist a faculty member with research or a scholarly project.

Overview

What you’ll discover:

• Gain an understanding of the research process,
• Develop your own research interest, and to
• Disseminate findings via poster presentation at a regional conference or publication in a student journal

How you’ll benefit:

• Receive a project stipend
• Meet and interact with leaders in the nursing research profession
• Engage with faculty in small group settings
• Work with faculty to complete meaningful research/scholarship

Who is eligible:

Students should plan to be enrolled in the nursing program during the subsequent academic year, have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and a strong interest in nursing research and scholarship.

How to apply

• Complete the Undergraduate Nursing Research Application and submit it by May 1.
• Applicants will be notified of acceptance by MSU email in early September.

Selection process:

• Each student will receive a plan, developed with a faculty mentor, outlining the research project and your planned role in the project. You must sign the plan and return by the due date. 
• The student is required to meet with the faculty mentor at the start of the fall semester to begin work on the project.
• Once the student has signed the plan and met with the faculty member the project stipend will be disbursed into the student’s MSU account.
• Student will be required to produce either a journal article about the project for a student journal or a scientific poster submitted for presentation at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF).

Coursework

Nursing 220: Introduction to Nursing Scholarship

This 2-credit course is offered during fall and spring semester each year. This course prepares you to become a consumer of research who critically evaluates and bases nursing care on evidence and who uses methodologies essential to providing evidence-based nursing care.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the importance of nursing research and its relationship to evidence-based practice.
• Describe and apply the basic steps of the research process utilizing appropriate terminology.
• Evaluate the level of evidence, validity, reliability and quality of research articles.
• Use critical appraisal skills to evaluate research findings in nursing and related fields with respect to the problem, methods and findings.

There are no pre-requisites for enrollment in this course. Contact the Office of Student Support Services for assistance enrolling in this course.

Nursing 221: Future of Nursing: Explore Potential Career Opportunities and Graduate Education

Spring of every year. 2(2-0) R: Open to students in the Nursing or Prenursing Major or approval of college. Fosters student motivation in pursuing advanced degrees in nursing. The course will examine perspectives related to the future of nursing and provide the opportunity for students to explore post-BSN career opportunities and the options for graduate education in nursing.

Effective Spring Semester 2023

Nursing 451: Honors Research Internship
This 2-3 variable credit course is offered on demand. This course provides you with an immersion in the research process in the College of Nursing working directing with a nurse researcher in the context of a funded/non-funded research team.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Develop an appreciation for the importance of nursing research.
• Participate in and contribute to a research team.
• Develop a scholarly presentation including abstract.

You are eligible to take this course upon successful completion of Nursing 220 Introduction to Nursing Scholarship. In addition, prior to taking this course, you will need to provide a supervising faculty member with evidence of completing Human Subjects and HIPAA training. Contact the Office of Student Support Services for assistance enrolling in this course