How To Write Evidence-based Practice Paper in Nursing and Healthcare

What is evidence-based practice in nursing?

Evidence-based practice is the process by which nurses and other healthcare workers assess, review, analyze, and translate the

best and latest scientific research or evidence and incorporate it into everyday clinical practice. This evidence based paper helps

make informed patient-care judgment calls and improves patient outcomes.

Types of evidence-based practice in nursing

The types of nursing evidence based writing papers can be broadly categorized into primary and secondary sources. They can

be broadly categorized into four broad categories depending on the credibility of information.

1. Randomized control trials;
2. Cohort, case-control, or observational studies;
3. Expert opinions supported by experience;
4. Individual experiences.

Principles of evidence based practice in nursing

There are four key guiding principles to EBP in nursing. These include:

1. The best research evidence;
2. Individual clinical expertise;
3. The patient’s values and circumstances;
4. The context of the practice including health policy decision-making

How do nurses use evidence-based practice?

Nurses conduct research based on the latest scientific knowledge available and integrate it into their daily practice. They

incorporate these research findings into the major processes such as;

• Healthcare Protocols

• Books

• Clinical Decision-Making Processes,

• Guidelines

Nursing theory and evidence-based practice

Ideally, both of these should complement each other. In practice, nursing theory gives a foundation and explanation to the

practices and processes involved in EBP. For instance, nursing theory helps patients understand the potential opportunities

available to them in EBP medical care process.

Benefits and importance of evidence-based practice for nurse practitioners

EBP combines the nurse practitioner’s expertise with current research to develop evidence-based care procedures. Individualized

patient care allows nurse practitioners to ensure improved outcomes of patients. The improved decision-making process boosts the

efficiency of a nurse practitioner in patient care. Efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery reduced the cost of healthcare for

patients.

Evidence-based practice and quality improvement in nursing

EBP addresses individual patient needs, operational or systemic issues, and safety and quality issues. Quality improvements

projects design and develop new processes or structures that are geared to specific practices. Nurses are the bridge between EBP

and QI as they use the principles of EBP to make quality improvements to patient care.

Role of nurses in evidence-based practice

The main role of a nurse in EBP is to apply and implement fully the EBP process. Nurses are required to undertake their normal

nursing work and go beyond their basic skills to identify knowledge gaps that exist in practice. They are required to formulate

relevant questions, conduct in-depth research on the same, and determine the validity of the research using the rules of evidence.

Finally, they have the role of applying the findings of the research in practice to solve the identified problem and include the

patient’s input in the final clinical decision.

Problems with evidence-based practices in nursing

One major problem with EBP in nursing is lack of knowledge and skills to fully implement the practice. There are also unreliable

sources of evidence in EBP. Most organizations shy away from EBP due its costly nature. The decision to adopt and implement an

EBP innovation made by management is not readily accepted by employees. These challenges associated with EBP lead to lack of

motivation and commitment to implement EBP.

Evidence based practice questions in nursing

In evidence-based practice nursing, the questions take the PICO(T) format. The first thing is understanding the population or

patient of target. Identifying the intervention intended to be used to solve the problem of the population. Afterwards, identifying

the alternative intervention and the goal or outcome intended.

The 4 pillars of evidence-based practice

1. Relevant research
2. Clinical expertise
3. Patient or individualized values
4. Practitioner or contextual value

What is the process of an evidence-based practice in nursing?

• Ask a question: Turn the need for information into a question that can be answered.
• Find evidence to answer question: Look for the best evidence to answer the question.
• Critically appraise the information/evidence: Assess the evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability.
• Integrate evidence with clinical expertise and patient’s preferences: Incorporating the critical appraisal with clinical expertise with the individual patient’s values and circumstances.
• EBP evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the previous processes.
• Integration and Sustaining change: Integrate the new evidence to implement change and adapt it in policy.

The 9 Steps in writing an evidence-based practice in nursing

1. Choose a topic for your EBP paper

Pick a relevant topic from various sources such as your own nursing coursework, previously published works, and interactions

with peers. Topic that resonates with your passion and interests practice.

2. Consult with your Instructor/professor

Collaboration with instructor and getting feedback is key in nursing education. Incorporate feedback with research conducted to

come with a feasible topic

3. Title of the EBP Paper

A good title is clear, concise, and calibrated. If the topic is a question, then it should be in PICO format.

4. Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the blueprint or foundation of the whole paper. It is not a hypothesis but can be an implied argument.

5. Introduction

Includes background of the research question, brief problem statement, rationale, and thesis statement.

6. Methodology

Includes the specific data collection methods from literature, the databases searched, inclusion-exclusion criteria, and level of

evidence.

7. EBP Literature Review

A review of the literature is aimed at exploring the relationship between evidence and the research question. Also, it is aimed at

knowledge gaps in the explored nursing studies.

8. Discussion

A discussion of the findings and changes in practice, implementation approach, and evaluation process.

9. Conclusion

Summary of the EBP paper, and a revamped thesis statement.

Models of evidence-based nursing practice

1. The IOWA model of EBP
2. The Stetler model
3. Rosswurm and Larrabe’s Model
4. Johns Hopikins Nursing EBP model

Examples of evidence-based practice topic ideas in nursing

EBP in psychiatric nursing:

• Crisis intervention techniques
• Stress management
• Safety protocols
• New therapies

EBP in pediatric nursing

• Measuring blood pressure in children
• Approaches to administration medication to pediatric patients
• Collecting specimens in children

EBP in mental health nursing

• Illness management and recovery strategies
• Integrated treatment for recurring disorders
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Interpersonal psychotherapy

EBP in palliative care nursing

• Pain management
• Inflammatory drugs management
• Illnesses in acute care

EBP in infection control nursing

• Best practices in using PPEs
• Proper handwashing and sanitation
• Proper use of disinfectants
• Bundle approach

EBP in neonatal nursing

• Infection control in neonatal ICU
• Non-nutrive sucking during gavage feeding
• Trained therapists to deal with breastfeeding in neonatal units

EBP nursing management

• Stress and burnout reduction in nurses
• Transformational leadership in nursing management
• Overcoming nursing shortages

EBP in pain management nursing

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy as a pain management therapy
• Body and mind pain management techniques
• Hydrotherapy as a physical therapy technique
• Community support groups

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