Reflection on The Evidence-Nursing Practice Connection

Sample Solution

Barriers to EBP

There are many barriers that can prevent nurses from engaging in EBP. Some of the most common barriers include:

• Lack of time: Nurses are often busy and may not have the time to read research articles or attend EBP workshops.
• Lack of knowledge: Nurses may not have the skills or knowledge necessary to critically appraise research or to implement EBP in their practice.

Full Answer Section

• Lack of resources: Nurses may not have access to research databases or other resources that can help them to find and use evidence.
• Lack of support from colleagues or managers: Nurses may not have the support of their colleagues or managers to engage in EBP.
• Cultural or organizational factors: The culture of a healthcare organization may not be supportive of EBP, or there may be policies or procedures that make it difficult to implement EBP.

Strategies to Facilitate EBP

There are a number of strategies that can be used to facilitate the use of evidence to help improve nursing care for patients. Some of these strategies include:

• Make time for EBP: Nurses need to make time for EBP by setting aside time each week to read research articles, attend EBP workshops, or participate in EBP projects.
• Build knowledge and skills: Nurses need to build their knowledge and skills in EBP by taking EBP courses, reading EBP journals, or attending EBP workshops.
• Access resources: Nurses need to have access to research databases, EBP tools, and other resources that can help them to find and use evidence.
• Get support: Nurses need to get support from their colleagues and managers to engage in EBP. This support can come in the form of mentorship, time off to attend EBP workshops, or financial resources to support EBP projects.
• Change the culture: Nurses can work to change the culture of their healthcare organization to be more supportive of EBP. This can be done by raising awareness of EBP, providing education and training on EBP, and creating policies and procedures that support EBP.

Changes in Thinking About Nursing Research and EBP

My thinking about nursing research and EBP has changed a lot over the past 8 weeks. I have come to realize that EBP is not just about reading research articles and implementing the findings in practice. It is also about critically appraising research, evaluating the quality of evidence, and making decisions about how to use evidence in the best interests of patients.

I have also come to appreciate the importance of teamwork in EBP. Nurses cannot implement EBP on their own. They need the support of their colleagues, managers, and healthcare organizations.

One new learned item during this course that I believe was the most helpful was the concept of "translational research." Translational research is the process of taking research findings from the laboratory and applying them to clinical practice. This is an important concept because it helps to ensure that the latest research findings are being used to improve patient care.

I am confident that the knowledge and skills I have gained in this course will help me to be a more effective nurse and to improve the quality of care for my patients.