Evidence-Based Nursing   Tags: evidence_based_nursing, nursing  

What is Evidence-Based Practice?

What is Evidence-Based Nursing?

How are Evidence-Based Medicine and Evidence-Based Nursing different?

Who are DNPs?

LibGuide developed by
Julie Wright, DNP, FNP-BC, CRRN
and constructed by
Judy Nordberg, MLIS.

Evidence-based practice is “the conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values to guide health care decisions.”  (Titler, 2008).

Titler, M. G. (2008). The evidence for evidence-based practice implementation. In R. G. Hughes (Ed.), Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses: Vol. 1 (chapter 7). (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/docs/TitlerM_EEBPI.pdf 

Evidence-based nursing is “an integration of the best evidence available, nursing expertise, and the values and preferences of the individuals, families and communities who are served” (Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, 2011).

Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. (2011). Evidence-based nursing position statement. Retrieved from http://www.nursingsociety.org/aboutus/PositionPapers/Pages/EBN_positionpaper.aspx

Evidence-based nursing practice is a 5 step systematic process which leads the DNP to apply quality evidence from research to make effective decisions about clinical and other healthcare problems.  These five steps include:

  Asking the Clinical Question

  Evidence Acquisition

  Evidence Appraisal

  Evidence Application

  Outcome Evaluation

Both evidence-based medicine and evidence-based nursing are forms of evidence-based practice.  However, nursing’s approach to evidence-based practice may differ from the biomedical model. Nurses provide holistic care, treating and working with patients rather than working on them. When nurses make clinical decisions about therapeutic interventions, they frequently consider not only effectiveness of treatment, but also cost-effectiveness and acceptability to the patient.

McSherry, R., Simmons, M., & Abbott, P. (Eds.). (2002). Evidence-informed nursing: A guide for clinical nurses. New York: Routledge.

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who focus on leadership and application of clinical research.  Graduates of DNP programs hold a terminal nursing degree associated with practice-focused doctoral education.  The practice of DNPs is associated with operationalizing evidence-based research into outcomes that benefit individuals, families, communities, systems, institutions, and populations.  Areas in which DNPs may work may include clinical practice with diverse populations, organizational and systems leadership in health care systems, and clinical nursing education. (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Graduate School of Nursing, 2011).  DNPs are particularly focused on “any form of nursing intervention that influences health care outcomes for individuals or populations, including the direct care of individual patients, management of care for individuals and populations, administration of nursing and health care organizations, and the development and implementation of health policy” (AACN, 2006).

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Retrieved from  http://www.aacn.nche.edu/dnp/pdf/essentials.pdf

University of Massachusetts Medical School, Graduate School of Nursing. (2011). Doctor of Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.umassmed.edu/gsn/academics/dnp.aspx

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