Ethan Schuler1, Fiona Paul2, Linda Connor3, Dennis Doherty4, Michele DeGrazia5. 1. Cardiovascular and Critical Care Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, 7South MSICU, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America. Electronic address: Paul.Schuler@Childrens.Harvard.edu. 2. Medical Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America. Electronic address: Fiona.Paul@Childrens.Harvard.edu. 3. College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 760 Kinnear Rd, Room #111, Columbus, OH 43212, United States of America. Electronic address: connor.197@osu.edu. 4. Medical Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America. Electronic address: Dennis.Doherty@Childrens.Harvard.edu. 5. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Boston Children's Hospital, 7North NICU, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America. Electronic address: Michele.DeGrazia@Childrens.Harvard.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses' use of evidence-based practice (EBP) improves patient outcomes through provision of optimal patient care. AIM: The Evidence-Based Practice Mentorship Program (EBPMP) is a self-directed, year-long immersion program implemented for staff nurses to experience the EBP process with close mentor support. The aim of this program is to bolster a culture of EBP at a single large pediatric quaternary care hospital in the Northeast. RESULTS: A total of 81 nurses across 4 cohorts participated in this organization wide program from 2016 to 2019. To date the program has produced 46 internally and externally disseminated EBP projects. Of the graduates, 7-nurse mentees have become formal EBPMP mentor's, 3 have applied and been accepted into the organizational based Nursing Science Fellowship to carry out clinical inquiry projects to fill important literary gaps, and 6 have received promotions or career advancements. Most importantly, graduates have anecdotally reported that program participation inspired deeper critical reflection of patient care. SUMMARY: Utilizing mentorship to facilitate EBP was a key educational strategy for the busy mentors and mentees, as many of the nurse participants were direct care providers. This self-directed program resulted in a high project completion rate leading to continued organizational support for the program, which is now in its fourth year.
BACKGROUND: Nurses' use of evidence-based practice (EBP) improves patient outcomes through provision of optimal patient care. AIM: The Evidence-Based Practice Mentorship Program (EBPMP) is a self-directed, year-long immersion program implemented for staff nurses to experience the EBP process with close mentor support. The aim of this program is to bolster a culture of EBP at a single large pediatric quaternary care hospital in the Northeast. RESULTS: A total of 81 nurses across 4 cohorts participated in this organization wide program from 2016 to 2019. To date the program has produced 46 internally and externally disseminated EBP projects. Of the graduates, 7-nurse mentees have become formal EBPMP mentor's, 3 have applied and been accepted into the organizational based Nursing Science Fellowship to carry out clinical inquiry projects to fill important literary gaps, and 6 have received promotions or career advancements. Most importantly, graduates have anecdotally reported that program participation inspired deeper critical reflection of patient care. SUMMARY: Utilizing mentorship to facilitate EBP was a key educational strategy for the busy mentors and mentees, as many of the nurse participants were direct care providers. This self-directed program resulted in a high project completion rate leading to continued organizational support for the program, which is now in its fourth year.