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Using Evidence Based Nursing in Practice: Apply

Created by Health Science Librarians

Step 4: Apply

This is the step where you integrate the evidence with your clinical expertise and the unique needs and values of your patient/situation.

From the literature search, you've found that the articles you've read do not state specific guidelines or staff ratio suggestions, but do discuss that cuts in RNs have lead to decreases in patient outcomes.  Initially, you considered cutting some of your RN staff because of cost purposes.  After assessing your current situation, you remember that your most recent personnel cuts have been to the RN staff.  After considering the literature and your current situation, you believe that any further RN cuts may provide too much of a risk to quality of care and not enough of a benefit to the budget.  You decide on having cutbacks in the number of UAPs and to reorganize the staff in order to have a more effective combination of RNs to UAPs. 

Implementing EBP/Readiness for Change

Barwick, M. A., Peters, J., & Boydell, K. (2009). Getting to uptake: do communities of practice support the implementation of evidence-based practice? Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(1), 16-29.

Benzer, J. K., Charns, M. P., Hamdan, S., & Afable, M. (2017). The role of organizational structure in readiness for change: A conceptual integration. Health Services Management Research, 30(1), 34-46.

Gallagher-Ford, L., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B. M., & Stillwell, S. B. (2011). Evidence-based practice, step by step: implementing an evidence-based practice change. American Journal of Nursing, 111(3), 54-60.

McCluskey, A., & Cusick, A. (2002). Strategies for introducing evidence-based practice and changing clinician behaviour: a manager's toolbox. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 49(2), 63-70.