Advanced Practice Institute: Evidence-Based Practice and Research Utilization: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care: University of Iowa Health Care

The Point (Internal Access Only)

The Advanced Practice Institute:
Promoting Adoption of Evidence-Based Practice

Advanced Practice Institute Brochures and Applications:

February 24-26, 2010

Please contact Grace Rempel (319-384-6737 or grace-rempel@uiowa.edu) for next available dates.

Clinicians value using scientific evidence in practice, but require facilitation to succeed. Mentors are needed to facilitate clinician guided change in clinical practice. The Institute provides an opportunity for nurse leaders to learn advanced skills in evidence-based practice and the role of the evidence-based practice facilitator.

The Institute also guides nurse leaders in development of the organizational infrastructure essential for an evidence-based practice program. Learning is facilitated through didactic presentations, discussions, facilitated work time and scheduled consultation. Applications are currently being accepted for the sessions listed above.

Hundreds of nurses from across North America have attended since the program began in 2002 and evaluate the program extremely positively. 100% of participants state the program met their learning needs. All are able to identify strategies for implementing EBP changes in complex health care systems (100%). Participants are prepared to lead EBP initiatives within their organization (mean 4.4, 1= not at all to 5= to a very great extent). Participants would recommend the program to other nursing leaders (mean 4.83, 1-5 scale). Over the years several participants have stated that this is the best workshop they have ever attended. One participant declared, "immersion into the 'world' of EBP, the tremendous overview and detail gave me what I need to support my organization as it evolves in this excellent method of care delivery."

Another participant stated, "the energy in the room was great both with the participants and instructors-as well as the staff nurses who presented. It was great to have people enthusiastic about improving patient care. I found this so refreshing because nurses historically put down other nurses and frequently stagnate other nurses. This was the complete opposite-nurse helping nurses-what a novel idea. All nurses should take this course-period, both administrative and clinical!"

Through the Institute attendees have been able to develop many strong organizational initiatives and projects supporting EBP.

For more information, please contact Laura Cullen, MA, RN, FAAN (laura-cullen@uiowa.edu).