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Nursing Research - Undergraduate: Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-Based Practice

Definition (Houser, 2018, p. 13): "The use of the best scientific evidence, integrated with clinical experience and incorporating patient values and preferences in the practice of professional nursing care."

Evidence-based practice for nursing takes a look at the whole picture and the whole person when it comes to deciding what is the best course of treatment or intervention. 

EBP Today

EBP for nursing practice has been increasing over the last few years (Houser, 2018) and is becoming more popular in nursing research. By knowing what EBP is and how it applies to nursing practice will only allow you to become a better nurse, as you will be expected to apply EBP to any intervention or implementation you would like to do in your future position. 

What is Evidence Based Practice?

Ovid. [OvidWoltersKluwer]. (2015, October 6). What is evidence-based practice? [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from  https://youtu.be/2pJvBNszxIU

Why is evidence-based practice important?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is not just data collected from quantitative or qualitative studies; rather it is a combination of scientific data, clinical expertise and patient preferences (Houser, 2018) that make up EBP. It is important to cultivate all of the available information from a variety of sources in order to implement the best intervention or implementation. 

What to use for EBP

This is just a small list of sources you want to use for EBP. This is not an exhaustive list by any stretch of the imagination!

  • Quantitative and qualitative studies
  • Systematic reviews
  • Meta-analyses
  • Case studies
  • Secondary sources
  • Clinical guidelines
  • Government reports

By using a variety of sources, you not only demonstrate that you are knowledgeable on this topic, but that you have completed the necessary research in order to speak on a particular topic.