NR 451 Week 1 Discussion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-451: RN Capstone Course

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 8 Discussion: The Connection Between Evidence and Nursing Practice

In evidence-based nursing practice, nurses use data to make precise and informed clinical decisions, monitor improvements, and optimize workflow. This approach enhances patient care and overall outcomes. For instance, the introduction of a Real-Time Locator System (RTLS) has significantly improved communication in nursing, streamlining workflows and reducing errors and inefficiencies. These improvements are essential for delivering high-quality care and achieving positive patient outcomes.

Reflecting on current nursing practice, I recognize the challenges in delivering consistent, high-quality nursing care within today’s healthcare systems. The adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) offers a reliable approach to problem-solving that is grounded in the best available evidence. EBP fosters quality patient care, professional development, and reduced healthcare costs (Tacia et al., 2015). However, several barriers hinder nurses from fully engaging in EBP. A primary obstacle is the lack of time, which affects the proper adoption and implementation of EBP. Another significant barrier is the lack of knowledge or uncertainty about the EBP process, such as how to critique and appraise relevant nursing literature (Khammarnia et al., 2015).

The Evidence-Nursing Practice Connection

To promote the use of evidence in nursing care, one effective strategy is engaging relevant stakeholders. Collaborating with stakeholders during the implementation of EBP can help foster trust between nurses and patients. It also allows nurses to gain valuable insights from the experiences of others. Stakeholders play a key role in identifying outcome measures and facilitating better planning for the implementation of EBP (Khammarnia et al., 2015). Their involvement from the beginning increases the likelihood of successful practice adoption.

Looking back on my journey through this course, I realize how much my understanding of nursing research and EBP has evolved. I have learned that nursing research is vital for identifying the most effective practices in improving patient care. New research provides updated information that healthcare professionals can apply to respond to changes in healthcare environments and improve patient outcomes (Stevens, 2013). Furthermore, EBP has underscored the importance of integrating clinical expertise with the best available research, patient preferences, and systematic evaluations to make informed decisions about patient care. Moving forward in my career, I will carry with me the invaluable lesson that EBP allows healthcare practitioners to critically assess clinical guidelines and research, applying this knowledge to everyday nursing practice.

References

Khammarnia, M., Haj Mohammadi, M., Amani, Z., Rezaeian, S., & Setoodehzadeh, F. (2015). Barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice in Zahedan teaching hospitals, Iran, 2014. Nursing Research and Practice, 2015, 1-5.

Stevens, K. (2013). The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2), Manuscript 4.