roles and responsibilities of nurse in EBP

scholarship for nursing practice

scholarly inquiry

A systematic, rigorous, evidence-based approach to learning, creating knowledge, and solving problems.

Think: Why are things done this way, and how can we improve them?

Nursing research

Purpose: Generate new knowledge.

• Systematic study of nursing-related phenomena

• Validates/refines existing knowledge or develops new knowledge

• Includes clinical, health systems, outcomes, and nursing education research

Example: Studying whether a new intervention reduces pressure injuries.

evidence-based practice (EBP)

The “Three-Legged Stool”

Best research evidence + Clinical expertise + Patient preferences/values

EBP is a lifelong problem-solving approach used to make the best patient-care decisions.

Example: Choosing a treatment based on research, your clinical judgment, and what the patient prefers.

quality improvement (QI)

Purpose: Improve a specific process or outcome.

Uses primarily internal evidence/data.

Six Domains of Healthcare Quality: STEEEP

• Safe

• Timely

• Effective

• Efficient

• Equitable

• Patient-centered

Common QI methods

• PDSA = Plan → Do → Study → Act

• Lean

• Six Sigma

⭐️looks only at own hospital, floor, etc (very internal) ⭐️

research, EBP, and QI overview

Concept	Main Purpose
Research	Generate new knowledge
EBP	Use best evidence to make clinical decisions
QI	Improve a local process or outcome (not always EBP)

internal vs external evidence

⭐️ Internal Evidence

Information from your organization.

Examples:

• Your hospital's fall rates

• Unit medication-error rates

• Internal patient outcome data

⭐️ External Evidence

Information from outside your organization.

Examples:

• Peer-reviewed research studies

• Clinical guidelines

• Published research articles

Exam tip: A published quasi-experimental study is external evidence.

seven steps of EBP

0. Develop a spirit of inquiry

Ask: “Why do we do this?”

1. Ask a PICOT question

• P = Patient/Population/Problem

• I = Intervention

• C = Comparison

• O = Outcome

• T = Time

2. Search for the best evidence

3. Critically appraise the evidence

4. Integrate:

• Best evidence

• Clinical expertise

• Patient/family preferences

5. Evaluate outcomes

6. Disseminate results

history of EBP

Florence Nightingale

Known as the Mother of Modern Nursing.

She used:

• Statistics

• Systematic observation

• Data on sanitation and hygiene

Her work helped connect improved sanitation with improved patient outcomes.

⭐ ️Key idea:

EBP helps bridge the gap between research/theory and bedside practice.

continuous learning vs professional development

Continuous Learning: Ongoing expansion and reinforcement of knowledge and skills.

Professional Development: Planned activities to gain skills and improve professional capabilities.

⭐️ Both are important for:

• Career growth

• Better job performance

• Adaptability

• Confidence

• Staying current in healthcare

Nurse’s role in EBP

Nurses should:

• Identify clinical problems

• Ask clinical questions

• Gather and evaluate evidence

• Translate evidence into practice

• Collaborate with the healthcare team

• Evaluate outcomes

Nurses can participate in:

• QI projects

• Research studies

• Committees

• Guideline implementation

• Presentations/publications

• Practice innovation

education levels and research roles

BSN

• Read and critically appraise research

• Use evidence with guidance

• Assist with data collection

MSN

• Synthesize research

• Develop/revise protocols and policies

• Collaborate in research

DNP

• Develop, implement, and evaluate EBP guidelines and protocols

PhD

• Conduct research

• Generate new knowledge

• Serve as a primary investigator

⭐️ Key distinction:

DNP = applies evidence to practice

PhD = generates new research/knowledge

barriers to EBP

EBP requires organizational support.

Common barriers may include:

• Lack of time

• Staffing issues

• Limited ability to attend education

• Organizational culture/context

Slide example: Journal clubs held during a time when staffing/census may prevent attendance = a barrier.

benefits of EBP

Improved Quality & Safety

• More consistent care

• Scientifically supported interventions

• Better patient outcomes

Cost Reduction

• Fewer ineffective or redundant treatments

• Fewer preventable complications

Clinician Empowerment

• Greater confidence

• Better patient advocacy

• More involvement in policy and practice changes

⭐ ️key memorization topics ⭐

• EBP = Best evidence + Clinical expertise + Patient preferences

• Research = Generates new knowledge

• QI = Improves a local process using primarily internal evidence

• External evidence = Research/literature from outside the organization

• PDSA = Plan, Do, Study, Act

• PICOT = Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time

• DNP applies evidence; PhD generates research

• QI is NOT always EBP

• EBP improves quality, safety, outcomes, cost, and clinician empowerment