Posted: November 16th, 2023

Obstacles to Evidence-based Practice for New Nurses

Obstacles to Evidence-based Practice for New Nurses

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a process of reviewing, analyzing, and translating the latest scientific evidence into clinical practice. EBP aims to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes by incorporating the best available research, clinical experience, and patient preference into decision making (ANA, 2022). EBP is considered the gold standard for delivering safe and effective person-centred care (British Journal of Nursing, 2022).

However, EBP is not without challenges, especially for new nurses who may lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement it in their practice. Some of the common obstacles that new nurses face when applying EBP are:

– Lack of time and resources: New nurses often have heavy workloads and competing priorities that limit their ability to access, appraise, and apply evidence in their practice. They may also lack the necessary resources, such as computers, databases, journals, and mentors, to support their EBP activities (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022).
– Lack of education and training: New nurses may not have adequate education and training on EBP concepts, methods, and tools. They may not know how to formulate a clear clinical question, conduct a comprehensive literature search, appraise the quality and strength of evidence, synthesize the findings, and translate them into practice recommendations. They may also lack the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for EBP (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022).
– Lack of organizational and professional support: New nurses may encounter barriers at the organizational and professional levels that hinder their EBP implementation. For example, they may face resistance from senior staff or managers who are reluctant to change their established practices or policies based on new evidence. They may also lack the leadership and collaboration skills to influence change and engage stakeholders in EBP projects (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022).

To overcome these obstacles, new nurses need to be proactive and seek opportunities to enhance their EBP competence and confidence. Some of the strategies that new nurses can use to facilitate their EBP practice are:

– Seek mentorship and guidance: New nurses can benefit from the support and feedback of experienced nurses who have expertise in EBP. They can seek mentorship from formal or informal sources, such as preceptors, educators, researchers, or colleagues. They can also join or form EBP groups or committees within their organizations or professional associations to share ideas, experiences, and resources (ANA, 2022).
– Use available tools and models: New nurses can use various tools and models that are designed to simplify and guide the EBP process. For example, they can use the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) model, which is a three-phase approach that consists of practice question, evidence, and translation. The JHEBP model is accompanied by user-friendly tools that walk the user through each phase of the project (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022).
– Engage in continuous learning and improvement: New nurses can enhance their EBP knowledge and skills by engaging in continuous learning and improvement activities. They can attend workshops, seminars, webinars, or courses on EBP topics. They can also read journals, books, newsletters, or blogs that provide updates on the latest evidence and best practices. They can also participate in quality improvement or research projects that involve applying evidence to improve patient care outcomes (ANA, 2022).

EBP is a vital component of nursing practice that requires ongoing commitment and effort from new nurses. By overcoming the obstacles and adopting the strategies discussed above, new nurses can become competent and confident in applying evidence to their practice.

References:

ANA (2022) What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? Available at: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/evidence-based-practice-in-nursing/ (Accessed: 16 November 2023).

British Journal of Nursing (2022) Evidence-informed practice: simplifying and applying the concept for nursing students and academics. Available at: https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/professional/evidence-informed-practice-simplifying-and-applying-the-concept-for-nursing-students-and-academics (Accessed: 16 November 2023).

Johns Hopkins Medicine (2022) Evidence-Based Practice. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/nursing/center-nursing-inquiry/nursing-inquiry/evidence-based-practice (Accessed: 16 November 2023).