Description/Overview: In today’s healthcare environment, implementation of evidence-based practice (EPB) and a professional practice model are often key strategic goals for nurses. This symposium describes an innovative approach to achieve both of these goals concurrently that result in unique synergies. With the EBP paradigm as the driver of professional practice best care can be achieved, excellent clinical outcomes can be measured and sustained, effective learning can be designed, and nursing science can be grown in healthcare organizations. A roadmap to achieve these goals by describing how the EBP paradigm can be leveraged as the main principle for building and achieving professional practice in nursing will be provided. In the first session, the central aspects of the EBP paradigm will be described as they align with the key elements of professional practice and shared governance. Specific EBP implementation strategies and their potential to contribute to the achievement of professional practice will be presented. Steering this paradigm shift is multifaceted and complex. Keys for successful development and support of resident EBP experts and leaders will be presented. Both organizational and academic strategies will be highlighted including; EBP mentorship programs, EBP in academic curricula, and EBP continuing education. The second session will focus on the role of a EBP model/framework in building a culture in which professional practice can thrive. Integration of EBP mentors as professional practice leaders and change agents and their impact on such outcomes as life-long learning and ownership of practice will be discussed. The third session will culminate the symposium in an exploration of the possibilities created by this innovative approach and the synergy of these two powerful nursing excellence mechanisms as they relate to nursing practice, research and education.

Learner Objective #1: Describe the synergy between evidence-based practice and professional practice.

Learner Objective #2: Discuss strategies for fostering sustainable evidence-based professional practice.