Redesigning Evidence-Based Initiatives for Nurses

Healthcare organization leaders greatly rely on evidence-based practice (EBP) to guide the delivery of care and support clinical decisions on patient care. EBP is a process of assessing and implementing best evidence, patient values, and clinical expertise to make clinical decisions on patient care. Engagement in EBP is an opportunity to overcome the barriers that lead to poor patient and system outcomes. However, EBP implementation can be difficult due to barriers such as lack of time, lack of EBP knowledge, lack of leadership support, and difficulty accessing resources. Several studies support educational programs for nurses to strengthen EBP beliefs and implementation. The purpose of this project was to increase participation in EBP for nurses practicing at Mayo Clinic Arizona. The project involved planning for redesign of existing EBP courses along with new types of support and educational sessions. DNP students participated in the initiative through searching for and synthesizing evidence, collecting and analyzing survey data, and presenting recommendations for program development and outcome measurement to nursing leaders in the organization. Keywords: evidence-based practice, hospital, nurses, engagement, continuing education