Evidence-based practice day: an innovative educational opportunity

Abstract

To maximize patient outcomes, the latest research and practice updates must be disseminated across the patient care continuum to include all members of the nursing team. The Clinical Research Council (CRC) recognized the need to bridge the gap between nursing research and practice, using evidence to decrease variation in practice. To meet this challenge, a Magnet-designated, rural community hospital developed an innovative educational program. This article describes Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) day, an interactive learning environment that engages nursing staff and strengthens their understanding of the science that guides practice. Topics for inclusion were selected based on staff requests, current research, quality improvement data, and institutional priorities. Evidence was provided in a format that supported rapid implementation into practice. Key components of the program included a clinical scenario, internal and external data, nursing interventions, patient outcomes (nursing-sensitive and organizational), and regulatory requirement updates.