Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

1. Distinguish between evidence-based practice, research, and performance improvement.
2. Describe the steps in the EBP process.
3. Be able to formulate a searchable question using the PICO format.
4. Be able to understand the basic rules of doing a good search utilizing various electronic resources and databases.  
5. Be able to distinguish the various levels and quality of evidence.
6. Begin to understand how to appraise research and non-research literature using the Johns Hopkins Nursing EBP tools.
7. Gain an understanding of what is involved in the planning to translate the evidence into practice.

Class 1: 

• Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice Resources Available at VCU.
• Introduction to the Johns Hopkins Model of Evidence-Based Practice.
• Types of Clinical Questions and How to Formulate a Searchable Question.

Class 2: 

• Discussion of the basic rules of doing a good search in order to find quality evidence.
• Introduction to the best databases and electronic resources for finding the best evidence.
• Learn how to effectively search PubMed and CINAHL.
• Become familiar with other databases and resources that could be useful in finding evidence to answer a clinical question. 

Class 3: 

• Learn how to appraise research and non-research literature using the Johns Hopkins Nursing EBP tools.
• Discuss the basics of what is involved in the planning to translate the evidence into practice.