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Monday, 18 November 2013
Learning Objective 1: 1. describe successful support of staff nurses who are going back to school in a community hospital.
Learning Objective 2: 2. examine the mentorship of staff-led special interest groups that influence clinical decisions of nurses at the bedside and building a culture of inquiry.
Staff nurses are our best investment for the development of nursing science. In a small facility like ours, with a nursing staff of less than 50% Bachelor's (or higher) prepared nurses, we have experienced challenges in speaking the language of, and applying, evidence-based principles. We have developed a number of successful strategies aimed at engaging staff nurses in seeking and using evidence-based practice. Encouraging and supporting our nurses to return to school to pursue advanced degrees and mentoring the staff nurse leaders of special interest groups have been tremendous first steps in building a culture of inquiry in our community hospital. The true support of staff nurses who are adult learners and juggle school and work simultaneously requires creativity and advising that goes above and beyond what typical students receive from a school advisor. With an intentional effort to support our staff nurses who go back to school seeking a BS/BSN or higher degree, we are proud to have nearly one-sixth of our nursing staff in school currently. Collaboration with local universities, hosting multiple cohorts of students on-site, offering educational sessions, and coaching individual students have been important initiatives not only to get back to school, but to get the most from their educational experiences. Mentoring staff nurses in leading special interest groups has also proven to be a rewarding enterprise that has enhanced future leader development, encouraged colleagues to get involved in asking good clinical questions, helped staff to understand and apply evidence to bedside practice, and improved patient outcomes with intravenous therapy and the management of chronic pain patients at our facility. Our Nursing Education, Research, and Innovations staff has been empowered to fully engage in the development of our nurses to stimulate and grow a culture of inquiry at our hospital.
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Posters Session 2
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions