Challenges to providing evidence-based practice education will be described. Challenges include lack of internal expertise to provide education on evidence-based practice, limited staff interest in learning and incorporating evidence-based practice and limited time and funds to provide education.         

Strategies successfully used to develop and implement evidence-based practice education will be presented. Strategies address all levels of the organization and include: 1) developing education for the Board of Trustees; 2) creating a nursing Council to address evidence-based practice initiatives; 3) citing references and evidence in policies; 4) collaborating with area hospitals, nursing education programs and Sigma Theta Tau Chapters to sponsor an evidence-based practice conference; 5) providing brief presentations during Nurses Week; 5) developing unit report cards that identify and track selected indicators; 6) creating a performance improvement coordinator position; 7) providing on-line access to a Medical Library; 8) implementing a quarterly Evidence-based Practice Series; 9) providing an annual Pediatric Nursing Conference with nationally recognized speakers; and 10.) incorporating evidence-based practice activities into the nursing career ladder. Examples of the strategies and staff response will be incorporated in the presentation and will provide attendees with a toolbox of ideas to successfully develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based practice education!