Paper
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
This presentation is part of : Challenging the Status Quo: Impact of Evidence-Based Practice
The Challenges of Assessment and Strategic Planning
Barbara Rickabaugh, RN, MS1, Jeanette Harrison, RN, MS2, Bonnie Jean Raingruber, RN, PhD3, Margaret B. Hodge, RN, EdD1, and Mary Jane Sauvè, RN, DNSc1. (1) Center for Nursing Research, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA, (2) UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA, (3) Division of Nursing and Center for Nursing Research, California State University, Sacramento, and University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
Objective and Purpose: This presentation focuses on a grass-roots generated process used by the Center for Nursing Research to identify and prioritize barriers to using and conducting nursing research and implementing evidence-based practice in clinical settings.

Setting, Design and Method: A 52 item questionnaire was developed from the responses generated by research experienced nursing staff and clinical nurse specialists from open-ended questions related to using evidence-based practice and the experience of planning, preparing, and conducting research. The cross-sectional Likert-type scale survey was given to the same group and the results were disseminated to the three nurse-lead research utilization committees and used for strategic planning for program improvement.

Concept Targeted: To increase the involvement of nurses in research and utilization of evidence-based practice by reducing barriers and strategically improving our programs.

Findings: The value of nursing research and the support of Administration were identified as strengths. While time to participate, recognition and financial support were the areas in most need of improvement.

Conclusions: Developing a questionnaire from our nurses comments allowed us to prioritize target areas where improvements could be made through education, funding and refinement of our methods and continue to enhance the positive aspects of conducing research in our acute care institution.

Implications: Providing an opportunity for nurses to be involved in the assessment and planning for the Center for Nursing research allowed us to expose the barriers and direct our efforts to improve nurse involvement with nursing research and the use of evidence based practice. Additionally it served as a catalyst to investigate other means of financial support, increase education and to begin networking with auxiliary and volunteer groups.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004