Clinical Nurse Specialists Shaping Policies and Procedures Via an Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Council

Abstract

In the practice of nursing, organizations with progressive evidence-based practice programs implement structures and processes whereby nurses are engaged in the review of existing research and in the development of clinical practice documents to better align nursing practices with the best available scientific knowledge. At our academic hospital system, clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) took the lead to help transform a traditional nursing policy and procedure committee into a hospital-wide, staff-represented Clinical Practice Council (CPC) that ensures evidence-based nursing practices are reflected in the organization's nursing practice documents for the provision of patient care. Clinical nurse specialists function as mentors and cochairs who are dedicated to ensuring that nursing practice is supported by the latest evidence and committed to guiding staff nurses to continually move their practice forward. The success of the CPC is due to the leadership and commitment of the CNSs. This article describes the structure, process, and outcomes of an effective CPC where CNSs successfully engage frontline clinicians in promoting nursing care that is evidence based. Clinical nurse specialist leadership is increasingly made visible as CNSs effectively involve staff nurses in practice reforms to improve patient outcomes.

From shadow to change agent: Revitalization of the clinical nurse specialist role

“…CNSs integrate EBP into process improvement and staff development to enhance patient outcomes 4 . Progressive organizations with a commitment to a culture of EBP must implement structures and processes where nurses engage in the review of existing research to align nursing practices with the best available scientific knowledge 5 . To enhance influence over nursing practice, the Director of Nursing took the lead to restructure and enable the CNS to practice as an APRN.…”

La necesidad de certificar las prácticas basadas en evidencias ¿por quién y para qué?

“…Con la EBE se consigue una mejora tanto en los resultados de los pacientes 23 como en los mismos profesionales que la aplican 24 . Las enfermeras son conscientes de la valía e importancia de la EBE, sin embargo una gran parte no incorporan la investigación en su práctica diaria 25 .…”

Translating Evidence into Practice

“…Nursing research provides a valuable roadmap guiding clinical decision‐making and improved best care practices. Despite its importance, clinical nurses still do not view themselves as active consumers of research, preferring that educators and nurse leaders gather, synthesize, and report the benefits of adopting new evidence‐based practices (Becker et al., ; Yoder et al., ). A systematic review of 45 studies (Squires, ) further reveals that a nurse's attitude toward research affects research utilization.…”