Integrating Evidence-Based Practice into a Lebanese Nursing Baccalaureate Program: Challenges and Successes

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Evidence-based practice (EBP) is crucial for optimal patient care.
• Integrating EBP into nursing curricula presents pedagogical challenges.
• Standardized methods for EBP integration are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and integration of EBP concepts into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum.
• To outline student application of EBP principles using the PICO framework.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of EBP integration in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• EBP was incorporated into two BSN courses at different academic levels.
• Students utilized the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework to analyze clinical skills.
• Assignments involved comparing observed clinical skills with hospital protocols and current EBP guidelines.

Main Results:

• Student assignments demonstrated application of EBP knowledge and processes.
• A second course required students to support practice changes with scholarly literature.
• Assessment indicated successful student learning and positive course evaluations.

Conclusions:

• Integrating EBP projects into the BSN curriculum is a fruitful endeavor.
• The EBP integration benefits nursing students, clinical agencies, and faculty.
• This approach enhances clinical decision-making skills and promotes scholarly inquiry.