Are Nurse Residents Ready for Evidence-Based Practice?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Professional Development

Background:

• A new nurse residency program aimed to integrate evidence-based practice (EBP) through a developed curriculum.
• Supportive materials were created to guide nurses through EBP projects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an EBP curriculum within a new nurse residency program.
• To identify challenges and areas for improvement in resident readiness for EBP.

Main Methods:

• Development of a curriculum and supportive materials for EBP projects.
• Guidance of nurse residents through the EBP process.
• Analysis of challenges encountered during curriculum implementation.

Main Results:

• Implementation challenges indicated a need to reassess nurse resident readiness for EBP.
• Incoming residents' skill levels and prior experiences were identified as critical factors.
• Availability of resources and mentorship significantly impacted project completion.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum planning for EBP in nurse residency programs must consider resident skill levels and experiences.
• Adequate timing, resource allocation, and mentorship are crucial for successful EBP integration.
• Reevaluation of resident readiness is essential for optimizing EBP education in nursing.