Learning Objective #1: List three factors necessary for successful staff-driven evidence-based nursing projects.

Learning Objective #2: Identify two strategies to encourage staff use of technology in developing and implementing evidence-based nursing projects.

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Participation in a university-based Geriatric Resource Nurse Education Workshop provided the education for a core group of staff nurses to develop and implement evidence-based projects. It further served as the impetus for development of a best practice team devoted to geriatric best practices in a community, teaching, acute care hospital. Education comprises one factor which promotes evidence-based nursing practice. School of Nursing faculty provided four structured days of workshop-style educational sessions along with technological support through a web-site devoted to geriatric best practices. Mentoring and coaching comprise the other essential factor necessary to bring about successful evidence-based nursing projects. The community teaching hospital provided two educational specialists, who mentored three teams of staff nurses as they were challenged to utilize technologies to: collect and aggregate data as the basis for their project; utilize electronic templates to develop a game; and to enhance presentation of their project. Projects were designed and implemented by staff nurses and covered such topics as: sepsis in the elderly population, conducting hourly rounds to reduce falls, and development of a game to educate staff about fall prevention. Strategies will be detailed to enable participants to mentor staff nurses who lack previous experience with evidence-based projects and the use of technology. Education provided a strong base, but mentoring provided the essential support for staff nurses to experience successful outcomes. The equation for success for this community teaching hospital is:

Education + Mentoring + Technology = Successful Staff Nurse-Driven Evidence-Based Projects + a Geriatric Best Practice Team.