The Evidence-Based Practice course describes the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare and nursing practice, offers strategies for applying EBP to improve care delivery and assure patient safety, and provides critical thinking exercises that allow nurses to practice finding sources of evidence within their practice setting, identifying facilitators and barriers to EBP implementation, and applying EBP to clinical scenarios.

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. (OBN-001-91) Approval valid through 11/3/2019. For more information about how to earn nursing Contact Hours for the Evidence-Based Practice course, please see the User Manual.

Evidence-Based Practice -- Objectives

1. Describe evidence-based practice in healthcare and nursing practice;
2. Define nursing roles in evidence-based practice use in any patient care setting;
3. List the five process steps in identifying and applying the evidence;
4. Describe the common elements of nursing models for evidence-based practice implementation;
5. Identify sources of information on current evidence-based practice in use within your own practice setting;
6. Identify approaches for applying these evidence-based practices in your own clinical practice;
7. Identify why clinical expertise and critical thinking are part of the Evidence-Based Practice process;
8. Identify potential barriers and facilitators for implementing and adhering to evidence-based practice in your practice setting;
9. Define implementation planning processes for use of evidence-based practice in your clinical setting;
10. Identify the critical elements of patient engagement;
11. Recognize tools and methods to engage patients and families in the application of evidence in their care;
12. Describe the importance of applying evidence-based practice to ensure patient safety;
13. Describe the nurses’ professional role in use of evidence-based practice with patients, within their scope of responsibilities, and with colleagues; and
14. Identify the impact of evidence-based practice on patient safety.

About the Author

Barbara R. Medvec, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, has over 30 years of experience in health care from frontline to executive leadership, most recently serving as the Senior Vice Present and Chief Nursing Officer for the Oakwood Health Care organization, a part of Beaumont Health. Dr. Medvec has held system level nursing and executive positions in several not-for-profit organizations. She is currently executive for BRM Health, LLC, a healthcare leadership and development organization. Dr. Medvec holds Master of Science Degrees in Nursing and Business Administration from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She recently completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree at Madonna University and maintains certifications as a Nursing Executive and in Fundamentals of Magnet, both granted by the American Nursing Certification Corporation. Dr. Medvec has been recognized as a Nursing Nightingale for leadership by Oakland University and has authored a number of oncology, ambulatory nursing practice, and leadership articles.

The assistance and many contributions of Annette Kelly, MSN, RN, to the development of the Evidence-Based Practice module are acknowledged with thanks.