Custom Essays, Research Papers & Assignment Help Services

Fill the order form details - writing instructions guides, and get your paper done.

Check Prices

Order Now

Posted: September 7th, 2024

Why would a focus on Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) be good for advanced nursing practice?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) as a discipline in healthcare that integrates clinical expertise with scientific evidence and patient values in decision making regarding patient care. Health care professionals, including Nurse Practitioners, are increasingly using EBP to translate research findings to patient care. Effective integration of EBP allows nurse practitioners to deliver high-quality and specialized care to individual patients, which improves patient satisfaction and outcomes. The Institute of Healthcare improvement believes that EBP has the unlimited capacity to help us achieve the quadruple Aim, which entails enhanced patient experience, improved healthcare outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved well-being of healthcare teams.
Recently, there has been a paradigm shift in terms of nursing specializations. More and more nurse practitioners are choosing EBP as their choice of specialty when advancing their careers. But in a time when there is a serious deficit of nurse professionals causing burnout, a specialty in EBP can be quite empowering. There is evidence that nurse practitioners who integrate EBP into practice deliver quality patient care and have improved care outcomes.
A nurse who chooses EBP as their area of specialization in advanced nurse practice leaps a ton of benefits. First, it equips a nurse with care strategies that allow them to focus on specific areas of patient treatment. A nurse gets to choose among a wide variety of specializations, including advanced adult-geriatric nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner.
Also, a specialization in EBP opens leadership opportunities for a nurse who opts to advance their career in this upcoming field. This means that you get more chances of being chosen to lead and be in charge of the nursing team, among other leadership positions in the healthcare field.
A focus on EBP for an advanced nurse practitioner also provides job satisfaction and stability. EBP is an increasingly expanding field offering unlimited job opportunities and a heightened level of independence. Specialization in EBP also means a sizeable paycheck increase.
However, becoming an advanced nurse practitioner with a focus on EBP demands an advanced and diverse set of skills. One must have the ability to understand and interpret research findings. Secondly, because EBP entails incorporating new practices into clinical practice, it emphasizes exceptional leadership skills. If some or all of the above skills do not occur naturally, you may be required to go through a period of intense training.
References
Fiset, V. J., Graham, I. D., & Davies, B. L. (2017). Evidence-based practice in clinical nursing education: A scoping review. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(9), 534-541.
Lam, C. K., & Schubert, C. (2019). Evidence‐based practice competence in nursing students: An exploratory study with important implications for educators. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 16(2), 161-168.
Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Knowledge, attitudes, implementation, facilitators, and barriers among community nurses—a systematic review. Medicine, 98(39).

Evidence-Based Practice in Advanced Nursing: Enhancing Patient Care and Professional Growth

Advanced nursing practice demands a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. A focus on Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) provides a framework for nurses to deliver the highest quality of care, integrating the best available research with clinical expertise and patient preferences. The increasing complexity of healthcare necessitates such an approach, ensuring that patient care remains contemporary and effective. This discussion will explore the benefits of EBP for advanced nursing practice, highlighting its impact on patient outcomes, professional development, and the broader healthcare system.

EBP: A Cornerstone of Quality Care

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines EBP as the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values (Li et al., 2019). EBP empowers nurses to make informed decisions, moving beyond tradition and personal experience to incorporate scientifically validated practices. This approach ensures that patients receive treatments and interventions supported by rigorous research, leading to improved outcomes and a higher standard of care. For example, a nurse practitioner specializing in wound care might utilize EBP to select the most effective dressing type based on current research, rather than relying solely on established practices.

Professional Growth and Leadership through EBP

Embracing EBP fosters professional growth among advanced practice nurses. It encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning (Fiset, Graham, & Davies, 2017). Advanced practice nurses proficient in EBP are well-positioned to lead quality improvement initiatives, mentor colleagues, and contribute to the development of new clinical protocols. Furthermore, EBP specialization opens doors to leadership roles, enhancing job satisfaction and career advancement. A nurse practitioner specializing in diabetes management, for instance, could use their EBP skills to develop and implement a new patient education program based on the latest research on effective self-management strategies.

EBP and the Quadruple Aim

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Quadruple Aim—better patient experiences, improved population health, lower costs, and improved provider well-being—aligns perfectly with the principles of EBP. By implementing evidence-based interventions, nurses can contribute to achieving these goals. EBP can lead to more efficient care, reducing costs associated with unnecessary treatments or complications. Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction contribute directly to better patient experiences and population health. Finally, by empowering nurses to deliver the best possible care, EBP can enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout, contributing to the well-being of healthcare providers. A study by Lam and Schubert (2019) found that nursing students with stronger EBP competencies reported higher levels of confidence in their clinical decision-making, suggesting a potential link between EBP and provider well-being.

Challenges and Opportunities in EBP Implementation

While the benefits of EBP are clear, its implementation can present challenges. Advanced practice nurses must develop the skills to critically appraise research, translate findings into practice, and overcome potential barriers to implementation. This may require additional training and support from institutions. However, the growing emphasis on EBP within healthcare creates opportunities for nurses to specialize in this field, becoming leaders in evidence-based care and driving improvements across the healthcare system.

Conclusion

EBP is essential for advanced nursing practice in today’s complex healthcare environment. It empowers nurses to provide the highest quality of care, grounded in the best available evidence. By embracing EBP, advanced practice nurses can enhance patient outcomes, foster professional growth, and contribute to the achievement of the Quadruple Aim. While challenges exist, the opportunities presented by EBP are significant, paving the way for a future of nursing driven by evidence, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in patient care.

Suggested Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Nursing, Patient Outcomes, Professional Development

References

Fiset, V. J., Graham, I. D., & Davies, B. L. (2017). Evidence-based practice in clinical nursing education: A scoping review. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(9), 534–541.

Lam, C. K., & Schubert, C. (2019). Evidence‐based practice competence in nursing students: An exploratory study with important implications for educators. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 16(2), 161–168.

Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Knowledge, attitudes, implementation, facilitators, and barriers among community nurses—a systematic review. Medicine, 98(39).