Running head: NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 1 Nursing Research and Evidence Based-Practice Amy L. Bradley Ferris State University
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 2 Abstract The purpose of this nursing research and evidence-based practice paper is to review my current nursing practice and how I incorporate evidence-based nursing practice into my professional nursing career. I will also examine the need for nursing research and how it can be incorporated into everyday practice with the ultimate goal of increasing positive patient outcomes.
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 3 Nursing Research and Evidence Based-Practice Nursing is an evolving profession; nurses are expected to uphold the specific professional standards created by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in order to stay current and knowledgeable in their practice. Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) is one of the standards set by the ANA to provide safer care for patients. EBNP is defined as nursing practice that is based on the best available evidence, particularly research findings (Nieswiadomy, 2012, p. 318). The purpose of this paper will discuss my current nursing practice; examine evidencebased practice and how I incorporate these practice standards into my everyday professional practice. Generalist Nursing Practice I have worked for Spectrum Health Hospital in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) for eight years as a Nurse Technician; while I decided on a career path and then while I attended nursing school. In 2008, I graduated from Ferris State University with my Associate degree in Nursing and began my new role as a Registered Nurse on the same MICU I had always worked. I am currently working on the same unit and feel very blessed to work in such a setting that continues to challenge me every day. It has taken me the past four years to get enough courage to go back to school in order to obtain my bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) and I have already decided on my future plans after graduation. I have no ambition to enter the world of management or education, but have decided to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with Nurse Anesthesia Concentration at Michigan State University College of Nursing (Bradley, 2012).
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 4 Health Care Environment In my profession it is important to stay up to date on the current, safest nursing practices in order to ensure the best outcomes for patients. The ANA developed the Standards of Professional Performance to guide nurses and ensure that competent, universal care is delivered to patients (ANA, 2010). According to the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice evidenced-based practice and research is where the nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice (ANA, 2010, p. 51). Everything that I do in my practice as a nurse is centered on evidence-based research. The institution that I work for is a Magnet recognized hospital and is constantly changing policies and procedures based upon new research results to better patient outcomes. (Bradley, 2012, p. 5) The most recent example is the Scrub the Hub campaign that has been incorporated into the culture at Spectrum Health. This new principle has been proven to reduce the spread of infection and improve patient outcomes. Along with following the policy changes at Spectrum Health regarding EBNP I also have a subscription to the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC). I read many of the articles to stay current with critical care practice standards and when I am finished with them I bring them into the unit for my coworkers to read. This allows for the sharing of new information which also helps to support EBNP (ANA, 2010). Spectrum Health does not mandate its employees to read research articles, but does send frequent emails regarding new research and research findings; again promoting EBNP. Even though our nursing practice is being consistently updated I do believe there are some nurses who still practice under the what we used to do theory. Most of the time I find this is due to a simple lack of education and when the evidence is presented and explained then the new practice is ultimately accepted.
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 5 Professionalism Nieswiadomy (2012) states the term nursing research is defined as the systematic, objective process of analyzing phenomena of importance to nursing (p. 3). It is imperative that a nurse understands the rationale behind the care and interventions administered to patients in order to assure the best possible outcomes. Nurses have a duty to protect patient s safety and to ensure the best care is available; by incorporating the latest research and EBNP into my practice I am safeguarding my patients against poor outcomes and complications. Not only does nursing save lives and improve patient results, but nurses also save hospitals and patients money (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Nieswiadomy (2012) notes that by adding 133,000 FTE (full-time equivalent) RNs to the acute care hospital workforce in the United States would save 5,900 lives per year. When medical savings and increased productivity were considered, the economic value of each additional RN was $57,700 (p. 293). I feel that by continuing to analyze nursing interventions and utilize evidence-based practice the outcome for nursing will not only be positive professionally, but economically as well. I plan to continue reading journals and articles to stay current in my practice and use the information obtained to better my profession, patients, and healthcare system. Theoretical Base for Practice Nursing research and nursing practice should be based on theory. When research is guided by a theoretical framework, the theory guides the research process from the beginning to the end that is, from the identification of the research problem to the formulation of the study conclusions (Nieswiadomy, 2010, p. 83). Nursing theories give direction and structure to the research procedure. There are several nursing theorists that have created models related to the importance of nursing. An excellent example of how nursing theory is used to guide nursing
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 6 research is Orem s self-care model (Nieswiadomy, 2010). Orem had begun her ideas regarding self-care in the early 1950 s and continued to modify her theory with the latest version being published in 2001 (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Due to the fact that Orem s model is so pertinent in today s independent and knowledge-driven society there have been 66 research studies that have used elements from her theories to guide their research and investigations regarding nursing interventions and their outcomes (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Conclusion Nursing is an evolving practice that is constantly revolutionizing the care we administer to patients based on new research and the practice standards set forth by the ANA. I believe it is extremely important to continue learning and to stay current in my education. By doing so, I will be able to ensure the best outcomes for my patients, the continued growth of my profession, and economic stability for the healthcare system.
NURSING RESEARCH AN D EVIDENCE BASED-PRACTICE 7 References American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2010). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: Author Bradley, A.L. (2012). Professional development plan. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Nursing, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan. Nieswiadomy, R.M. (2012). Foundations of nursing research. (6 th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.