The global health care environment is changing at an unprecedented rate. Nurses, physicians, and caregivers should consider the best changes in nursing in order to support their patients. One of the best changes in this field is the use of evidence-based nursing (EBN). EBN is becoming necessary towards supporting the health needs of every patient. Nurses should also use every available research idea or healthcare method. Such nursing methods and leadership practices should be scientifically valid and acceptable (Institute of Medicine, 2011). EBN seeks to improve the safety and health conditions of patients while reducing the cost of care.
Stakeholders Involved
The first group of stakeholders includes nurses. Nurses should be the leading promoters of evidence-based nursing. Every nurse should be ready to apply evidence-based ideas or information. Such nurses will ensure the change is successful. The other group of stakeholders includes medical specialists and researchers. These individuals will come up with the best concepts and studies to support EBN. Nursing institutions should use the best practices to improve the quality of nursing (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Physicians should present the best ideas and theories to support evidence-based nursing. Medical Technologists (MTs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and Computer Programmers (CPs) should produce quality applications to support evidence-based nursing. Patients should be involved in the nursing practice. They should be part of the decision-making process in order to improve the quality of care.
Strategies to Manage the Needed Change
Physicians, Nurse Managers, and Nurse Practitioners should embrace the best strategies to manage this change effectively. These individuals should support the use of medical information technologies (MITs). These technologies will ensure every nurse understands the medical history of his or her patients. The next approach is promoting the best leadership strategy. Nurses Managers and Nurse Supervisors should “monitor every nursing practice to ensure it is acceptable” (Institute of Medicine, 2011, p. 2). Caregivers should have their own nursing philosophies in order to achieve every nursing goal. Healthcare institutions should support every good practice to improve the quality of patient support. Medical institutions should also implement the best decisions, strategies, and practices in order to make this change possible. Such strategies will ensure every hospital provides evidence-based care to its patients.
Barriers to the Needed Change
Evidence-based nursing requires time and dedication. Nurses should be ready to “undertake new researches and use their findings to promote patient care” (Institute of Medicine, 2011, p. 2). Many stakeholders do not possess quality research skills. Many caregivers and Nurse Practitioners do not read widely to improve their nursing competencies. Many nurses use “conventional healthcare practices thus creating resistance in the nursing environment” (Institute of Medicine, 2011, p. 4). Many hospitals do not have proper educational programs to support evidence-based nursing. EBN requires constant commitment and dedication in order to achieve every targeted objective. Leadership and proper management are also lacking in many facilities. Financial challenges also affect the quality of support availed to patients. Such barriers explain why evidence-based nursing practice is impossible in many healthcare facilities.
Nurse Roles as Agents for Change
Nurses can play a significant role towards facilitating this change. Every nurse should read widely and embrace new medical practices. These caregivers should support their patients using every nursing information or skill. Nurses can also embrace teamwork to promote the quality of care (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Physicians and nurses should work together to improve the quality of care. The above practices will make evidence-based nursing a reality in every hospital. Nurse Practitioners can also use complementary leadership strategies to provide appropriate health care services.
Reference
Institute of Medicine. (2011). Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. Web.