Article: APA Format
Reid, J., Briggs, J., Carlisle, S., Scott, D., & Lewis, C. (2017). Enhancing utility and understanding of the evidence-based practice through undergraduate nurse education. BMC Nursing, 16(58), 1-8. Web.
Brief Discussion
The selected article offers meaningful insights that can empower nursing educationists and practitioners to embrace the power of evidence-based practice (EBP). The authors describe a new course (Evidence-Based Nursing 1) that was implemented as part of an undergraduate nursing program. The researchers observed that the targeted learners were willing to make evidence-based practices part of their nursing philosophies after completing the course. The practice can encourage practitioners to integrate EBP into their respective care delivery models (Reid, Briggs, Carlisle, Scott, & Lewis, 2017). The judicious use of emerging or current evidence in care delivery and health decision-making processes can result in improved patient outcomes and support advanced practice nursing. This article describes the meaning of EBP and how it can be implemented in nursing institutions to ensure that advanced practice nurses (APNs) are prepared to meet their patients’ health needs. The use of emerging evidence and concepts from research studies can guide nurses to offer advanced care. When APNs embrace the power of EBP, they will achieve their potential and offer quality and equitable health services.
EBP Discussions
The concept of EBP revolves around the use of best evidence to improve patient outcomes. Mackey and Bassendowski (2016) indicate that external clinical findings, results from systematic studies, and personal nursing expertise constitutes “best evidence” for EBP. Nurses should combine such concepts to develop appropriate care delivery models and make desirable decisions to support their patients. EBP is a powerful approach that can be used at the point of care. Proficient nurses can diagnose and educate patients depending on their conditions. Such practitioners will identify signs and symptoms, offer timely patient education, and empower individuals to engage in disease management practices. These tasks at the point of care will be informed by every nurse’s current evidence and information backed by the latest research findings.
Informatics can bring the best available evidence to support AGPC practice. Modern technologies empower nurses to use standardized terminologies that can result in desirable health outcomes. Digital sources of timely or latest evidence can also be used to meet patients’ needs. Practitioners can use informatics processes to acquire and apply evidence to different clinical situations (Reid et al., 2017). Informatics competencies empower nurses to minimize sentinel events and meet patients’ needs.
I am planning to embrace the future by using EBP in my practice. I will incorporate the concept using a powerful strategy. The approach will be implemented using the notion of lifelong learning. I will also undertake numerous researches and use modern informatics to improve my nursing philosophy. Unfortunately, some barriers can affect the implementation and development of an EBP culture. The first one is the existing gap in education and practice. This limitation affects nurses’ ability to use evidence accurately and efficiently. The lack of appropriate policies to support the use of EBP is the second challenge (Mackey & Bassendowski, 2016). The third obstacle is that many institutions and practitioners have failed to embrace the power of informatics. These gaps affect patients’ health outcomes negatively.
EBP is expected to impact advanced nursing practice positively. The concept can sanction practitioners to make informed decisions and offer desirable care depending on their patients’ expectations. The approach results in improved care delivery systems. It also encourages practitioners to improve their nursing philosophies using emerging ideas (or concepts) and their competencies (Reid et al., 2017). EBP empowers nurses to make informed decisions, develop superior care delivery models, and update their skills. APNs using the concept will, therefore, offer safe, affordable, and sustainable care to their patients.
References
Mackey, A., & Bassendowski, S. (2016). The history of evidence-based practice in nursing education and practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 33(1), 51-55. Web.
Reid, J., Briggs, J., Carlisle, S., Scott, D., & Lewis, C. (2017). Enhancing utility and understanding of evidence based practice through undergraduate nurse education. BMC Nursing, 16(58), 1-8. Web.