Incorporating Evidence-Based Practice Learning Into a Nurse Residency Program: Are New Graduates Ready to Apply Evidence at the Bedside?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an evidence-based practice (EBP) learning module within a nursing residency program (NRP).


BACKGROUND
Utilization of EBP has been shown to improve patient outcomes; however, new-graduate nurses lack the practice application ability, attitudes, knowledge, and skills to incorporate EBP into their personal practice.


METHODS
New-graduate nurses in a hospital NRP participated in this nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational, study. The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was utilized in a prestudy-poststudy format to collect data for analysis.


RESULTS
Statistically significant changes occurred throughout the EBP module in regard to new-graduate nurse practice and knowledge of EBP.


CONCLUSIONS
Enabling novice nurses to foster a spirit of inquiry through EBP literacy is essential to patient outcomes; nonetheless, new-graduate nurse readiness must be further assessed in order to determine appropriate timing of EBP education within NRPs in an effort to improve the application of evidence at the bedside.
Author Affiliation: Assistant Professor of Nursing, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee.
Nichole
N
Jackson
D000328:Adult; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D009825:Oklahoma; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult