Evidence-Based Practice

Perceived Barriers to Staff Nurse Contributions to Evidence-Based Practice

Being involved with and contributing to evidence-based practice (EBP) can be a requirement for nurses in a leadership or educational role. However, staff nurses should also contribute to EBP. Staff nurses may only identify their role as practicing EBP but not initiating EBP. The goal is to identify the current barriers that are preventing staff nurses from contributing to the EBP process.

The Institute of Medicine has set a goal for 2020 to increase evidence-based clinical decision-making (Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Gallagher-Ford, & Kaplan, 2012). An additional significant factor derives from the perceived minimal participation in research from staff nurses. The nursing profession and care is guided by evidence-based research (EBR) and EBP. Identification of the barriers is needed to make efforts to correct the issue.

Patient care and nursing practice are guided by the research that supports the best practices for optimal patient outcomes. According to Fitzsimons and Cooper (2012), the benefits of EBP include an increase in patient safety, higher patient satisfaction scores, and improved cost-effectiveness. The practice standards set forth in policies and protocols are based on evidence of benefits to the patients and their health status. With the goal of the Institute of Medicine, it is an expectation that nurses contribute to EBP (Yoder et al., 2014). Nurses at all levels should be at the forefront of this process to implement the practice, contributing to the development of new practices and standards of care. Loke, Larenson, and Lee (2012) stated that despite efforts to increase awareness, there is still a lack of contribution from nurses.

Having the staff nurse contribute to EBP will ensure that the front line nurses are also included in the development and process of EBP. Increasing the number of staff nurses that contribute to EBP, will also benefit the nursing profession. There is an obligation for nurses to be actively involved with health care policies (ANA, 2001). With the goal set forth by the Institute of Medicine, increasing the number of nurses that contribute to EBP can assist with the transition by 2020 (Yoder et al., 2014). The question does not presume staff nurses should, or must, take part in this process alone. Mentorship and guidance is plays a key role in increasing participation in EBP.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2001). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: Nursebooks.org

Fitzsimons, E. & Cooper, J. (2012). Embedding a culture of evidence-based practice. Nursing Management, 19(7), 14-19. An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie

Loke, J. C., Laurenson, M.C., & Lee, K. W. (2014). Embracing a culture in conducting research requires more than nurses’ enthusiasm. Nurse Education Today, 34(1), 132-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2012.09.006

Melnyk, B. M.,, Fineout-Overholt, E., Gallagher-Ford, L., & Kaplan, L. (2012). The state of evidence-based practice in US nurses: Critical implications for nurse leaders and educators. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 42(9), 410-417. Blackboard Learn

Yoder, L. H., Kirkley, D., McFall, D. C., Kirksey, K. M., Stalbaum, A. L., & Sellers, D. (2014). Staff nurses’ use of research to facilitate evidence-based practice. American Journal of Nursing, 114(9), 26-37. Blackboard Learn