Clinical faculty are aware that BSN students do not appreciate the importance of research to their future practice. In an attempt to assist BSN students to value research and learn how to use research as beginning nurses, clinical faculty altered the research requirement in a medical-surgical and a critical care nursing course. Previously students were required to find and critique a research article that applied to some aspect of client the student worked with. Beginning in 2000, clinical faculty supplied students with research articles that promote evidence based practice.  In the junior year, the articles relate to basic client care.  Articles selected include use of incentive spirometry, thrombosis prophylaxis and management of chronic conditions.  Students summarize the article and discuss the impact on nursing care and whether the practice is currently being used at the clinical site. In the senior year, students concurrently take a research and critical care class.  The critical care clinical faculty supply review or meta-analysis articles. The focus of the senior articles is on management or prevention of complex acute conditions.  Students critique the article, state how the research can affect nursing practice, and discuss if the findings are being used in their clinical site. Students also explain why some research studies were deleted from the meta-analysis or review.  If the research based practice is not being used in the clinical site, students discuss methods to incorporate the new findings.

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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)