Master’s-level nurses need to be able to think critically about the evidence, outcomes data, and other relevant information they encounter throughout their daily practice. Often the evidence or information that a nurse encounters, researches, or studies is not presented in the exact context of that nurse’s practice. A key skill of the master’s-level nurse is to transfer evidence from the context in which it was presented and apply it to a different context in order to maximize the benefit to patients in that new context.
Critical appraisal of evidence is essential for nurses to practice evidence-based nursing, improve patient outcomes, contribute to research quality, make informed decisions, and fulfill their professional responsibilities. It is a key component of promoting excellence and continual improvement in nursing practice.
Ethical research ensures that the rights and well-being of research participants are protected. This includes obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm to individuals involved in the research. Ethical research contributes to the long-term impact of evidence-based practice and greater acceptance of evidence-based practices. By conducting research ethically, you will generate knowledge that is more likely to stand the test of time and continue to inform practice and policy in the future.
Master’s-level nurses understand the importance of utilizing evidence-based practice in their health care setting. The challenge is bridging the gap between the evidence and clinical practice. “This is the way we’ve always done it,” is a common response and may not indicate evidence-based practice is being utilized. Furthermore, when a practice problem is identified, what are the steps to communicate the need for change with the interprofessional team?
One way to communicate the need for quality improvements, as well as your plans for achieving specific changes, is through a presentation poster. This type of communication tool is used in workplaces as well as professional and academic conferences. Being able to convey the essence and value of a project in a compelling and succinct way is a valuable skill, and it is vital within the constraints of a single poster.
You have been asked to give a poster presentation based on your work and research on a clinical problem in your practice setting. The purpose is to lay out the evidence and a potential implementation plan to your colleagues in order to bridge the gap between the evidence and the practice and improve the quality and outcomes of care.