Use the best available evidence to guide practice decisions.
Healthcare is continuously changing. Evidence allows us to guide our decisions to promote the best possible change and outcome for all stakeholders. Without using guided practice decisions based on evidence, significant negative outcomes for the stakeholders could result. Throughout the Masters in Nursing at Capital University program, I discovered the importance of using an evidence guided decision approach and used it in determining how to improve a process in a hospital to produce a better outcome. The following summaries will show how my knowledge has grown regarding this viewpoint.
Models have been created over the decades to help one navigate through Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). These models are beneficial for the success of EBP. Before entering this master program, I did not know that these models existed. Studying and working with the different models during my research proved to me the significance of their utilization in solving problems. Two models that I found the most beneficial to help guide my understanding of how to implement and use EBP were the Iowa model and Advanced Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model. The Iowa model taught me the importance of asking questions at each step during the EBP process before moving forward to avoid missing information or finding an answer to a question that could arise in the future. The ARCC model moves at a faster pace which is worthy of utilizing when decisions need to be at a faster rate. I will utilize each of these models in my leadership practice. They will ensure the best outcome to help improve patient care. Each step in the process will be reviewed and measured, which will decrease the chance for negative results whether time is allowed to use the Iowa model or the need to use a faster pace model such as the ARCC model.
The designation of hospitals that achieve magnet status over the last decade has shown that patients can expect better outcomes, nursing retention and medical innovation to occur. Analyzing the benefits of a magnet or non-magnet hospital based on research findings conducted by the American Nurse Credentialing Center has supported why I believe this designation is beneficial. Throughout this paper, you will understand the benefits of hospitals reaching magnet recognition and the evidence supporting better patient outcomes when this is achieved. Receiving this recognition means that there is more financial support provided within the hospital for research and evidence-based practice for continuous improvement and innovation to occur. Personally, working for a magnet and non-magnet hospital, I have observed the research funding as one of the biggest differences. My research also indicated that smaller hospitals cannot afford to reach magnet status, however there are other recognitions that can be achieved by the nurses that are attainable and reach the same positive outcomes found through a magnet hospital. This provides smaller hospitals the opportunity to be recognized in the same way regarding patient outcomes, retention and innovation.
Healthcare is one of the fastest evolving industries in the world because it has constant change due to Evidence-Based Practices. It is important to understand the change models. Based on evidence, two models have been successful in helping to reduce the resistance to change and increase the understanding of the why and potential benefits of the change these models are the Kottler and Change Curve models. The Kottler model approaches the issue of change through an eight-step model and the Change Curve model is similar, but begins when stagnation within an industry occurs. Knowing the difference in the approaches of these models is beneficial to use because each change decision is unique and needs to be approached in a way that each stakeholder will accept.
The current nurse retention issue is a major issue for all hospital systems. Reviewing Clinical Ladder opportunities for nurses can be extremely beneficial for hospital systems to keep the nurse employed in the clinical setting providing direct patient care. Based on these clinical ladder opportunities, a nurse realizes that they have a possibility for growth and feel valued. My research on the Clinical Ladder in relation to nurse retention, conducted with a colleague in NURS 520, highlighted the importance of understanding and implementing evidence-based practice and comparing the current practice to generate improvements. We found through the analysis of previous studies regarding this topic, support for the promotion of a clinical ladder and validation of the use of it for nurse retention had a favorable outcome. Gaining insight on previous and current study guides for clinical ladder programs, policies, decisions, etc. resulted in expanding our knowledge and allowed for improved outcomes to occur without repeating mistakes or encountering the same issues from past hospital systems.
Evidence Based-Practice (EBP) provides the healthcare industry with a driving force to continue to innovate and create new practices to improve the patient’s care. From gaining personal insight while learning and working with models to help implement EBP, I have found that these models are beneficial for change. This assessment is based on evidence of success and has prepared me to know how to implement EBP when making decisions.