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Date of Award

5-8-2013

Degree Type

Restricted Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Carole A. Pepa

Abstract

One objective for healthcare improvement for the 21st century is for clinicians to be dedicated to providing high-quality, effective care based on research. The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine the effect of a nursing journal club intervention on critical care nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of EBP as measured by an author made 14-item knowledge questionnaire and Dr Fineout-Overholt’s EBP Belief Scale. Research supports the implementation of a journal club to empower nurses to take an active role in using evidence to improve patients’ outcomes. The studies supporting this project dated from 2005 to 2012; more than half were dated after 2007. They included: two systematic reviews (level I), a randomized controlled trial (level II), a quasi-experimental preintervention/postintervention design (level III); a systematic review of descriptive study (level V), and seven single descriptive studies (level VI). The Iowa Model and Kurt Lewin’s change theory were used as a framework to guide this EBP project at a regional medical center in Northern Indiana. Nurses from the critical care units met monthly to discuss an article relevant to their practice. Educational preparation ranged from diploma to master-prepared nurses. The number of participants varied from two to five at any one time during the 30-45 minute journal club meetings. A test of knowledge was given before the journal club began (N = 24, M = 6.38, SD =2.06) and when it ended (N = 21, M = 9, SD = 2.59). This difference was statistically significant, (t(43) = -3.79, p < .001). The findings suggested that the journal club was effective. Those who participated in the posttest had better perceptions about EBP than those who took the pretest. Upon evaluation of the pre- and post-results for the EBP Belief Scale, an increased in either agree or strongly agree was noted on most of the items on the scale for a total of 13 out of the 16 likert scale questions.

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