Running head: NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 1

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Running head: NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 1"

Barnard Bailey
5 years ago
Views:

1 Running head: NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 1 EVIDENCE BASED NURSING AND PERSONAL PRACTICE Sofia L. Warren Ferris State University

2 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 2 Abstract Evidence based nursing practice is based on knowledge and research. This paper outlines how I perceive evidence based nursing research and theory in my personal practice as well as my perceptions of how knowledge and research enhance nursing practice and delivery of care based on evidence and best practice. Also discussed is the support of evidence based nursing research and practice at the institution in which I work. Keywords: evidence, nursing, theory, research, practice, theory

3 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 3 Evidence Based Nursing and Personal Practice The purpose of this paper is to provide information about my experience in nursing as well as my exposure to and use of evidence based nursing in my personal practice. I have been a registered nurse for 18 years. During my career I have worked on a step-down Medical/Surgical unit, Emergency Department, Hospice, Orthopedics and currently in IV Therapy. I have been in my current position at Munson Medical Center for 8 years. My specialty involves placement and maintenance of vascular devices, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement, and home infusion teaching. I also act as a preceptor and charge nurse for our department. Currently, I am a member of our unit action council, I am the acting Chair for our Medical/Surgical Telemetry Council and I am a member of Munson s Nurse Practice Council. My plan is to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), from Ferris State University in the spring of I then plan to go on for my Masters degree. I am interested in ethics, teaching, infectious disease and public health nursing. Initially my plan only involved teaching, but with my new found knowledge in various areas my interest has been peaked to delve into other pursuits. Health Care Environment As a Magnet Hospital, Munson Medical Center espouses the practice of promoting Evidence Based Nursing (EBN) research and practice. Yearly, Munson supports EBN projects. EBN research has provided the best practice standards of the Infusion Nurses Society and these are the standards we follow in my department. We have also completed EBN research with-in our institution to determine best practice for standards related to things like dressings and pain management. Naturally as nurses we are expected to use best practice in out patient care activities. Magnet designation promotes nursing within our institution and encourages nurses to

4 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 4 seek higher education as well as secure certification in a given specialty. Currently I am seeking to complete a BSN as well as Infusion Nursing certification. I am a member of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and expected to maintain best practice standards, therefore it is an expectation that I keep up on current research and practice. We are continually looking at best standards to shape our policies and procedures departmentally as well as institutionally. The research and outcomes would be considered more quantitative as the results would be more statistically based and objective. Institutionally, Munson aggressively supports the scope and standards of practice outlined by the American Nurses Association (ANA), in that nursing is recognized as a distinct profession with its own code of ethics and standards of practice (ANA, 2004, p. 9). According to the ANA standards, registered nurses are responsible for using best practice standards to guide personal practice as well as seeking opportunities to research and expand their knowledge base (ANA, 2004, p. 40). The Bachelors prepared nurse should be able to indentify clinical problems, participate in the collection of data as well as analyze and interpret findings to guide best practice, conduct research and incorporate these finding into the development of policies and procedures to guide patient care (ANA, 2004, p. 40). Professionalism Based on my personal experience in nursing, I will always seek to follow the standards of best practice based on nursing research. As nurses, our goal is safe, effective patient care. The delivery of nursing care must be based on clinical expertise and judgment as well as the use of the best research evidence available (Burns & Grove, 2011, p. 5). As a technical nurse it is easy base our practice on tradition rather than seeking to expand our knowledge base through research findings. Specialization through certification in a specialized area of nursing is an excellent

5 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 5 means for advancing ones knowledge base and delivering patient care. Measurement criteria as set forth by the ANA, is that a registered nurse will strive to commit to lifelong learning, self reflection and inquiry (ANA, 2004, p. 35). Nurses need a solid research base to implement and document the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions in treating particular patient problems and promoting positive patient and family outcomes (Burns & Grove, 2011, p. 6). Nursing research provides a knowledge base by which nurse can gauge practice, improve nursing care and therefore patient outcomes as well as improve the healthcare system (Burns & Grove, 2011, p. 6). Knowledge is the power to affect change. My educational pursuits have opened my eyes to the importance of continually expanding one s knowledge base to enhance clinical practice and identify potential practice issues. Research and its outcomes help provide the base of quality and efficacy in our delivery of care. Theoretical Base for Practice Nursing theory and nursing research go hand in hand. Throughout history nurses have developed a body of knowledge from practice and research. History shows that many nurses pioneered the various causes and challenged the status quo with creative ideas for both the health of people and the development of nursing (Alligood & Tomey, 2010, p.8). Nursing theory can define nursing research or vice versa, the nursing research can define nursing theory. The discipline/profession of nursing is based on a body of knowledge that has been refined and continually reevaluated in the pursuit of new knowledge and improved clinical practice (Burns & Grove, 2011, p. 4). Conclusion The nursing profession has come a long way from the days of Florence Nightingale.

6 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 6 As a profession we have become very technical in our practice. Interestingly the tenets of practice Ms. Nightingale set forth, more that 150 years ago are very much a part of how we deliver basic nursing care today. I believe that her nursing practice and personal crusade to improve sanitation and healthcare for the poor set the tone for both nursing theory and nursing research of modern practice. As nurses we are trusted caregivers. We have a responsibility to deliver care in a safe and compassionate manner. We are obliged to further the cause of nursing through continued education and through the furthering of the scientific knowledge base. The ultimate goal of nursing research and theory being best patient outcomes through evidence based knowledge and best clinical practice.

7 NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED NURSING PRACTCE 7 References Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing Theorists and Their Work. Maryland Heights, MO. Elsevier American Nurses Association, (2004). Scope and Standards of Practice. American Nurses Association. Silver Spring, Maryland. Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2011). Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence- Based Practice. Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier.

Running head: Evidence Based 1. Evidence Based Practice Paper. Natalie Russell. Ferris State University

Running head: Evidence Based 1 Evidence Based Practice Paper Natalie Russell Ferris State University Evidence Based 2 Abstract There has been debate in the field of nursing regarding the benefit of performing