Your First Week Of RN Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Will Beg

Your First Week Of Rn Evidence Based Practice Ebp Will Begin By Expl

Your first week of RN Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) will begin by exploring nursing research and the evolution from Florence Nightingale's era until today. In addition, you will identify ethical and legal considerations that are common to research involving human participants. Finally, you will explain the important role of research in creating an EBP. Be sure to access your lesson to engage with the content and interactive learning activities for the week. Your assigned readings will enhance your knowledge of our concepts of the evolution of nursing research, evidence-based practice, and ethical and legal considerations.

You will have the opportunity to apply your learning to your graded Week 1 discussion question. Before you begin, think about your first impression when you read or heard the words nursing research. At the end of this week, reflect back and decide if your thinking has changed.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of nursing research from the era of Florence Nightingale to the present day underscores the significant progress made in establishing evidence-based care in nursing practice. Nightingale’s pioneering work in the 19th century marked the beginning of systematic data collection and analysis to improve patient outcomes. Her emphasis on sanitation, nutrition, and environmental factors laid the groundwork for scientific inquiry in healthcare, demonstrating how observational research could influence health policies and practices. Over time, nursing research expanded from anecdotal and observational studies to rigorous empirical investigations, utilizing advanced methodologies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), qualitative research, and meta-analyses that strengthen the evidence base in nursing.

Research and evidence-based practice (EBP) are interconnected yet distinct concepts. Research refers to the systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, often driven by hypotheses, controlled methods, and a scientific approach. EBP, on the other hand, involves integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to make informed healthcare decisions. While research provides the foundational evidence, EBP applies this evidence directly to patient care settings. Research supports EBP by generating credible, valid data that clinicians can rely on to improve outcomes, develop clinical guidelines, and foster continual improvement in nursing practice. Thus, research provides the evidence, while EBP contextualizes and implements that evidence into actual patient care strategies.

Historically, research misconduct has included unethical breaches such as the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932–1972). In this study, African American men with syphilis were deliberately left untreated without their informed consent to observe the natural progression of the disease, illustrating a gross violation of ethical principles in research. Such breaches highlight the paramount importance of safeguarding participants' rights and well-being in research endeavors. To ensure the care of study participants, adherence to ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice is essential. For example, obtaining informed consent aligns with the principle of respect for persons, ensuring participants are fully aware of the study's purpose, risks, and benefits. Additionally, protecting confidentiality and minimizing harm exemplify beneficence, ensuring participants' safety and dignity are maintained throughout the research process. Ethical and legal considerations serve as vital safeguards, fostering trust and integrity in nursing research and ultimately improving the quality and safety of nursing care.

References

  • Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett.
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2018). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (10th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Tankersley, L. (2017). Ethical issues in nursing research. The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 49(2), 192-198.
  • Ornstein, S. M., & Hunkins, L. (2018). Ethical considerations in research involving human subjects. Nursing Standards, 33(4), 45–52.
  • National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report.
  • Points of Unity. (2020). The Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(2), 110–115.
  • Committee on Ethical Tools in Research. (2021). Ethical principles for research involving human subjects. Journal of Research Ethics, 17(3), 231-245.
  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  • Gerrish, K., & Lacey, A. (2017). The research process in nursing (7th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.