Immersion in Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship Program: A Transforming Experience for Staff Nurses.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Evidence-based practice (EBP) integration is crucial for healthcare quality.
• Nurses' experiences during EBP training programs require further exploration.
• Understanding the impact of EBP programs on staff nurses is essential for optimizing healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the professional and personal transformations experienced by staff nurses.
• To identify key themes emerging from nurses participating in a 1-year EBP fellowship.
• To explore the relationship between EBP programs and organizational empowerment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing focus groups with staff nurses.
• Participants had completed a 1-year evidence-based practice fellowship program.
• Thematic analysis was employed to identify emergent themes.

Main Results:

• Five major themes were identified: support, resources, knowledge, opportunity, and empowerment.
• The 1-year fellowship program provided critical components for structural empowerment.
• A heightened sense of empowerment was observed among program graduates.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-based practice fellowship programs significantly contribute to nurses' professional and personal development.
• Organizational structural empowerment is a key outcome facilitated by EBP fellowship programs.
• The sense of empowerment experienced by nurses is vital for explaining the success of fellowship programs and their graduates.