Clinical Research and Practice Collaborative: An Evidence-Based Nursing Clinical Inquiry Expansion

Abstract

Introduction: Implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs) are common challenges faced by healthcare organizations. The Clinical Research and Practice Collaborative, an evidence-based initiative implemented at a large Military Treatment Facility, addresses EBP implementation and sustainment by expanding the culture of nursing clinical inquiry and broadening nursing research efforts to include EBP. The evidence-based intervention of scheduled, intentional, intraprofessional collaboration between PhD nurse scientists and advanced practice registered nurses as compared to previous methods of spontaneous, consultative collaboration, focuses on developing support for nursing research and EBP initiatives. Materials and Methods: A 2-year pre- A nd 2-year post-implementation timeframe compared outcomes (proposals, publications, posters) from individual and collaborative nursing research and EBP initiatives. Results: Although nursing research initiatives remained stable, research publications and posters were reduced by 63%, EBP initiatives grew 450%, EBP publications and collaborative nursing initiatives for both research and EBP increased. Additionally, EBP Council membership rose 300%, and an intraprofessional cadre was formed during the implementation. Conclusions: Intentionally scheduled collaboration between PhD nurse scientists and advanced practice registered nurses is a promising model to promote an expanded culture of nursing clinical inquiry and should be considered for medical facilities seeking to enhance EBP and nursing researchefforts.