Using Problem-Based Learning on Evidence-Based Nursing in Nurse Education Program

Monday, 31 October 2011

Yu-Rung Wang, MSN, RN
Ying-Li Lee, MS, RN
Hui-Ying Chiang, PhD, RN
Su-Chen Hsu, MS, RN
Department of Nursing, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan City, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to nurses must have competences of evaluating and applying research findings in nursing practices.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to compared to the traditional didactic teaching, in-service training using problem-based learning approach enhanced nurses to perform critical thinking.

Purpose: Because nurses are expected to engage in evidence-based practice, nurses must have competences of evaluating and applying research findings in nursing practices. Compared to the traditional didactic teaching, in-service training programs using problem-based learning approach enhanced nurses to perform critical thinking and knowledge syntheses. Evidence-based practices have become a significant approach to improve quality of healthcare through a comprehensive evaluation on evidence, clinical experiences, and patient expectations. The purpose of this project was to investigate the effect of evidence-based nursing education on the concept of knowledge, literature search skill, research, and statistical among clinic nurse at medical center in south Taiwan.

Methods: A 6-week problem-based learning (PBL) course was introduced to learn evidence-based nursing. The course included evidence-based nursing knowledge, literature search skill, research, and statistical in small group practice and group emulation after training. In total, there were 6 learning modules of 18 hours. Problem-based learning questionnaires were administered to the participated 49 nurses at each time after training course.

Results: We expect the result will showed that the nurses’ competences related EBN was improved such as evidence-based nursing knowledge, literature search skill, research, and statistical. A variety of teaching strategy was used including group emulation. The learning effects of application EBN were measured in term of knowledge, attitude and skill of EBN.  

Conclusion: A Problem-based learning approach to EBN is applicable for nurses. Through this approach, nurses’ willingness of learning and application are increased as well as their competences of critical thinking and nursing practice.