The introduction is the critical first section of an expository nursing essay. It needs to grab the reader’s attention, provide background context, establish the focus through a clear thesis statement, and set the stage for the discussion.

An interesting introduction invites readers to continue exploring the essay while a dull, disorganized introduction may cause them to disengage. This article provides a comprehensive guide to writing excellent introductions for expository nursing essays.

Hook the Reader

The very first sentence should capture the reader’s interest right away. Some strategies for opening hooks include:

Rhetorical or thought-provoking question

Intriguing fact, statistic, or quotation

Brief anecdote, case study, or real-world example

Analogies comparing the topic to something readers relate to

Defining key terms upfront that will be discussed

Nursing essay topic hooks could include a startling health statistic, a relatable case study example, an insightful quote from a nursing leader about a pressing issue, asking readers if they have wondered about a particular phenomenon, or framing the topic with an interesting analogy.

Provide Background Context

After the hook, give concise background information so readers understand the topic’s relevance, significance, and importance. Provide just enough context to frame the discussion without delving into too much tangential detail at this stage.

For a nursing essay, this may involve explaining historical insight into an issue, its prevalence, related current events, who is affected, why standard approaches are insufficient, or what prompted the topic’s investigation. Cite sources as needed.

State the Thesis

The background flows into stating the expository essay’s thesis statement or main focus and purpose. This 1-2 sentence thesis assertion tells readers the key argument or position the essay will inform them about regarding the topic. It acts as an anchor for the entire piece, keeping the content organized around explaining the thesis.

Examples of expository nursing essay thesis statements:

Cultural competence education is essential to ensure nurses provide equitable, high-quality care to diverse patient populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted nurses’ mental health, calling for improved wellness initiatives.

Evidence-based nurse staffing models reduce medical errors, improve patient satisfaction, and lower hospital costs.

Preview the Discussion

Close the introduction by briefly previewing the key information that will be covered in the essay body to support and explain the thesis. Give readers a broad roadmap of what is to come.

For instance, the preview could mention:

The main aspects or categories the body will discuss

Questions that will be addressed

How the topic will be analyzed or approached

Overarching arguments or evidence for the thesis

This helps transition smoothly into the body content.

Additional Introductory Paragraph Tips

Keep these best practices in mind:

Begin with an attention-getting hook relevant to the thesis

Provide just enough background context to frame the topic

Assert a clear, focused thesis statement reflecting the essay purpose

Preview the main ideas and structure of the discussion

Maintain an objective tone fitting the expository style

Cite sources used as needed for facts and context

Transition smoothly into the first body paragraph

An excellent intro grabs attention, sets the stage, provides direction, and invites readers into the essay within just a few concise paragraphs.

Examples of Engaging Expository Nursing Essay Introductions

Let’s look at two sample expository nursing essay introductions utilizing these elements:

The Dangers of Nurse Understaffing

Nurse-to-patient ratios have been climbing for decades. Today, it is not uncommon for nurses to be responsible for 10, 12, or even 15 patients at once. This increasingly unmanageable workload has consequences. According to recent studies, inadequate nurse staffing is linked to higher mortality rates, increased infections, and lower patient satisfaction.

With a growing nursing shortage straining the healthcare system, solutions for safe staffing levels are urgently needed. This essay will discuss evidence illuminating the dangers of nurse understaffing, analyze the key factors driving unsafe ratios, and explore initiatives to establish more appropriate nurse workload limits.

Effective Mentorship in Nursing Education

It is the first day of clinical rotations. Nursing students are nervous as they enter the brightly lit hospital hallway, the smell of antiseptics strong in the air. Their preceptor, an experienced nurse named Jenny, warmly greets them. “Let’s get started so you can start getting hands-on with patients,” she smiles. High-quality mentorship like this is invaluable for guiding inexperienced students into practice.

However, not all students are paired with engaged, empowering mentors. This essay will highlight evidence on the benefits of impactful mentorship relationships in nursing education, discuss common roadblocks to effective mentor-mentee connections, and propose solutions to foster supportive guidance during this crucial learning period.

Both introductions above contain an engaging hook, background setup, clear thesis focusing the essay, and overview of the discussion structure to come. These elements immerse readers in the topic and set the stage for the body content.

Expository Nursing Essay Introduction Example

The nursing profession is inherently stressful and demanding. Irregular hours, high patient loads, end-of-life care, workplace conflicts, and constant mental and physical exertion all contribute to fatigued, burned-out nurses. A 2022 survey found that 75% of nurses reported feeling regular symptoms of burnout like exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced accomplishment.

This epidemic of nursing burnout threatens everything from patient safety to individual nurses’ health. As nurse understaffing increases in an already strained system, this complex issue requires analysis into causes, impacts, and solutions. This essay will define and discuss factors leading to compassion fatigue and burnout among nurses, examine the effects on nurses, patients, and healthcare organizations, and explore evidence-based strategies individuals and institutions can employ to promote nurse well-being and resilience. Alleviating the nursing burnout crisis is imperative to nurse retention, quality care, and better health outcomes.

In this introduction, the opening statistic hook grabs attention. Background setup is given on nurse burnout prevalence, risks, and why this matters. The thesis clearly states the three aspects of burnout that will be informed – causes, impacts, and solutions. Finally, a preview summarizes the key points of discussion. This sets the stage for an expository essay educating readers on this timely nursing issue.

Expository Nursing Essay Introduction: Conclusion

In summary, introductions are a vital part of expository nursing essays. Grab attention with an interesting hook, provide contextual background, assert a clear thesis statement reflecting the central purpose, and give a broad preview of the key points that support the thesis. This opening section sets the tone and direction for the rest of the essay when crafted effectively. Keep the focus tight and the writing clear. A thoughtful, organized introduction invites readers to continue exploring the illuminating discussion.