Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Diane Whitehead

Abstract

Translating research to practice takes 10-20 years or more and evidence-based practice (EBP) integration remains at 10%-20%, despite recommendations requiring EBP-guided decisions. EBP integration has been associated with up to 30% decreases in healthcare system spending, improved quality outcomes, and increased staff satisfaction. Nurse leaders are accountable for EBP enculturation, yet rate quality and safety as the highest priority and EBP as the lowest. This knowledge gap perpetuates low EBP integration rates and hinders EBP enculturation. Asking whether EBP facilitative interventions for nurse leaders increase scores on organizational culture and readiness, beliefs, and EBP use scales addressed the knowledge gap via this quality improvement, pre/posttest pilot project. Multiple frameworks guided the project: the nursing process, Lewin's change management model, the Johns Hopkins Nursing EBP model, and the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership-® model. A comprehensive literature search validated the design using EBP facilitators: educational interventions, transformational leadership, strategic planning, and a systems perspective. Pre/posttest data garnered from 14 non-direct care nurse leaders on the Organizational Culture and Readiness for System-Wide Integration of EBP Scale, the EBP Beliefs Scale, and the EBP Implementation Scale was analyzed using 2-sample t tests. Individual questions on the scales revealed statistically significant differences correlating to the facilitative interventions, yet overall aggregate scores did not change significantly. The limited findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge, while positive social implications include resolving public health and safety issues, reversing fiscal irresponsibility, and overcoming resistance to change.

Share

 
COinS