Pregame practice

Nursing students learn a lot from examples of evidence-based practice

There was a time when milking chest tubes and bathing children in alcohol were standard practices. Although at the time the nursing interventions may have seemed rational, evidence-based practice has proven otherwise.

Be clear on what it entails

Understand how evidence-based practices have changed nursing care

Here are just a few examples of how EBP has changed nursing care. You can find many more examples in the literature.

Appreciate how EBP is important to student nurses

The evidence-based interventions we learn can improve patient outcomes, help to provide high quality care, reduce costs and eliminate practices that have become obsolete or are not effective. As nursing students and future nurses, we hold a promise of continuous learning, and it is essential to build evidence-based knowledge over time. As students, it is never too early to start thinking like a nurse who is driven by evidence-based practices.

The BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) diet is no longer a nutritional recommendation for gastrointestinal upset since these food lack nutrients that are needed. It is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to restore the child to a well-balanced diet as soon as possible.

Nurse-driven protocols now guide nursing practice regarding the best time for removing urinary catheters to prevent urinary tract infections.

Aspirin was previously used to control fever in the pediatric population but it is no longer a standard practice because it increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

ICU ABCDEF Bundle is a combination of multiple evidence-based interventions that can collectively reduce delirium, improve pain management, and reduce long-term consequences for patients in the ICU. (A: Awakening trials for ventilated patients; B: Spontaneous breathing trials; C: Coordinated effort between the RN and respiratory therapist to perform the spontaneous breathing trial when the patient is awakened by reducing or stopping the patient's sedation; D: A standardized delirium assessment program, including treatment and prevention options; E: Early mobilization and ambulation of critical care patients.)

Turning patients every two hours is no longer a standard of care. The timing for turning patients should be dependent upon their condition and their risk for skin breakdown, for example, one patient may need to be turned every 15 minutes and another patient may need to be turned every hour.

Learn how to search for evidence-based practices

You probably will notice on the units where you work there are specialty populations and patients with similar diseases. To provide a higher level of care, look up evidence-based practices for that particular population. Hospital units or your university library usually have nursing databases to search for specific journal articles.

Connect with others to discuss your practice

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