The Road to Success: Integration of EBP Throughout a BSN Nursing Curriculum

Graves, Barbara Ann

Friday, 3 August 2012: 8:50 AM

Barbara Ann Graves, PhD, RN
Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Learning Objective 1: Describe the stages of integration of evidence-based practice teaching strategies throughout a BSN nursing curriculum.

Learning Objective 2: Discuss teaching strategies, both academic and clinical, that provide opportunities for students to identify practice issues, appraise and integrate evidence, and evaluate outcomes.

Professional nurses across the world are called to provide nursing care from an evidence-based practice (EBP) approach. The current health care environment continues to be driven by rising healthcare costs coupled with the need to improve practice and health outcomes. Using EBP, or the “best evidence available” with “nursing expertise” and “patient values and preferences”, can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare spending. Furthermore, Sigma Theta Tau International has strongly advocated for the use of evidence-based nursing (EBN).

Therefore, evidence-based nursing (EBN) must be foundational for the professional practice of nursing. It is imperative for nursing education to be grounded in the translation of current evidence into practice.

In the drive for excellence, colleges of nursing seek to promote quality and innovation in programs of nursing education. Strategic plans often reflect goals to provide nursing graduates with opportunities to identify practice issues, appraise and integrate evidence, and evaluate outcomes. In accordance with the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, one faculty group set out to transform a traditional research course and to fully integrate EBP strategies throughout the undergraduate program of study including both a traditional BSN program and a RN/BSN track.

This presentation will describe stages of the journey of integration of EBP teaching strategies into the undergraduate program of studies. It will also highlight the actual implementation of EBP integration throughout the undergraduate curriculum in both academic and clinical experiences. Participants will see actual course content, objectives, and activities used by the faculty to advance students’ understanding of EBP.

See more of: Educational Strategies: Integrating EBP
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters