By Sylvia Foley, AJN senior editor
Most health care professionals agree that it’s important to apply research findings to real-life practice. Indeed, several studies have shown that nurses place a high value on doing just that. Yet numerous barriers continue to prevent or hamper the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP).
Table 4. ‘Of the tools available to you at work and/or home, which tools do you use?’
To learn more, Linda Yoder and colleagues surveyed nearly 800 staff nurses in an acute care multihospital system. They sought to determine the extent to which these RNs used research findings in their practice; what types of knowledge they used; and what personal, professional, and organizational factors enhanced or hindered their use of research. In one of this month’s two CE features, “Staff Nurses’ Use of Research to Facilitate Evidence-Based Practice,” Yoder and colleagues report on their findings. Here’s a short summary.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, online survey design was used. The survey, which asked about use of research findings in practice and EBP participation, was placed on the hospital system intranet.
Results: The forms of knowledge that staff nurses reported relying on most were their personal experience with patients, conferences, hospital policies and procedures, physician colleagues, and nursing peers. Although a variety of resources were available for help in locating research and implementing EBP, respondents reported many of the same barriers that have been reported in other studies: lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of knowledge. Although their attitudes about research utilization and EBP were positive overall, respondents expected unit-based educators and clinical nurse specialists to collect and synthesize the research for them.
Conclusions: These findings are similar to those of other recent studies in this area. A great deal of work remains to be done if we are to inform, educate, and assist staff nurses in using research and implementing EBP. It may be unrealistic to expect bedside nurses to add these activities to their duties unless they are compensated for the time and have the support of master’s- or doctorally prepared nurses to serve as EBP coaches and champions.
The bigger picture. In closing, Yoder and colleagues call for a kind of climate change, stating, “We believe, as do others, that nurse leaders, managers, and educators have a responsibility to create a culture that supports EBP and research utilization.”
For more details, read the article, which is free online. And please weigh in and share your own experiences!
The best way I have found to study and save time is to have a great study group or even a study buddy. So much time is spent researching iotromafinn in your books and on the internet preparing for tests. Divide up the work and then each person is only having to look up a fraction of the info. Compile all the info to create a great study guide. That way you can spend more time LEARNING the info rather than looking it up. If you need to work, limit it to part time. I am able to work 1-2 days a week as a Nurse Extern at my local hospital. They pay very well, allow me to pick my own hours and every day I work is more clinical experience I gain. You will also be at the top of their list when you graduate. Also, make sure you have a good Nursing Care Plan book. This saves so much time when writing up your care plans. There is also software available that will create care plans based on iotromafinn you enter about the patient. Good luck you can do it! I’m wrapping up my 3rd semester next week while working and being a mom to 2. I feel your pain!
Need some policy and procedure implementations as well… not just flying solo after reading some study results. IMHO.