Embedding evidence-based practice in a nursing curriculum: a benchmarking project

The development of a new nursing curriculum in one Australian university provided the opportunity for academic staff to consider the best ways to integrate the requirements of evidence-based practice (EBP) into nursing education and culminated in the development and conduct of a specific benchmarking project. Data collection for the project included the use of university documents, observations and informal discussions with staff. An analysis of this information resulted in the emergence of five categories that were grouped into two major categories, namely infrastructure and processes. Within the major category of infrastructure, two minor categories, namely evidence-based nursing (EBN) Unit and EBN champions emerged. The major category of processes included three minor categories, namely integrating a research thread, immediate introduction to EBP and planning with local services. The outcome of the benchmarking project also offers a template for other health disciplines to adopt when trying to embed and value EBP in their department and curricula.