Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. actively supports the Division of Nursing’s vision for the ongoing development of nursing research and evidence based nursing practice. Our commitment to this vision is exemplified through the N.U.R.S.E. (Nurses Using Research Science and Evidence) Program. This program provides the framework for the enhancement of professional nursing practice and patient/family outcomes through the integration of an evidence-based nursing environment.

Objectives:

Dedicated to creating an organizational culture conducive to nursing research and evidence based nursing practice, we have collaborated with nursing leaders and staff nurses to formulate the following objectives for the N.U.R.S.E. Program:

Direction and consultation by leadership/management for the development of nursing research proposals, conduct of nursing research and dissemination of nursing research findings.

Partnerships with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and local academic institutions in the Washington, DC metro area.

Integration of evidence based nursing practice at the unit, departmental and organizational level.

Strategies:

In order to cultivate this environment several strategies have been implemented:

Beginning in January 2003, unit-based presentations related to evidence based practice were given on a monthly basis at the Nursing Practice and Research Council meetings. Two presentations were displayed at a national conference, and one is currently being revised and edited for publication.

Nursing Grand Rounds related to evidence based nursing practice and research have been held since November 2002. Guest speakers included: 1) Donna Wong Ph.D, RN, national recognized in pediatric nursing care and research, 3) Mary Fran Hazinski, MSN, RN, FAAN 2) Nurse researchers from NIH, and 3) faculty from The Catholic University of America.

Launching of the N.U.R.S.E Program in October 2003, which served as the impetus for the development of unit based research activities, such as journal clubs.

Establishment of a Research Committee.

Plans for a Nurse Research Fellowship Program.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004