NR 439 BURNS NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
NR439 BURNS NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
BURNS NURSING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE
... [Show More] BASED PRACTICE
NR 439
NR439
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Patricia A. Burns
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR439: RN Evidence-Based Practice
March 2020
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Nurses are innovators and leaders in the ever-changing healthcare field. Constant and deliberate evolvement in the nursing field, through research, is expected and imperative to remain relevant. Research in healthcare delivery and patient-centered care has been ongoing for centuries using basic research methods, cause-and-effect observations, rigorous record-keeping, and documentation, with findings being presented to improve nursing practices and patients’ outcome. The purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss the importance of the BSN graduate’s understanding of the value of the basic principles of nursing research, using quantitative and qualitative methods, and the impact credible research has on the evolution of evidence-based practice in promoting safe, quality patient care.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is important as it objectively measures analyzed numbers and data gathered from a topic or concern for quality patient-care improvement (Bressan, et al., 2017; (Chamberlain University School of Nursing, 2020) . The correlation between the obtained data and the effectiveness of the change is conveyed by highlighting cause and effect to measure the outcome, scientifically (Vinson, 2019). It gives a visual component to the research: graphs, pies, ratios and percentages that can be used to validate the importance of this type of research choice (Chamberlain University School of Nursing, 2020). Statistical data weighed with comparative analysis can demonstrate the value of intervention for quality care, especially when improved patient/staff satisfaction scores and cost analysis are affected (Vinson, 2019). Randomized controlled trials (RTC) are systematic, tightly controlled to avoid errors and bias, can involve more than two groups and is considered the ‘gold standard’ (Hoe & Hoare, 2012-2013). This design is important in that the group participants are chosen randomly, and it gives the before and after intervention data (Chamberlain University School of Nursing, 2020; Hoe & Hoare, 2012-2013).
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is important because it is based on the emotions, experiences, observations, and words of the participants – trends not measurable by numbers (Houser, 2018; Vinson, 2019). It involves the holistic and human elements of the patient care experience through a connection or bond with the participant or group as a means of understanding the experiences – the very definition of what nursing is and strives to be (Houser, 2018; Vinson, 2019). Case studies is one of the many features in qualitative research and are of value in improving nursing practice as deficits in the patient experience can be identified, the disconnect can be found, and a means of rectifying the imbalance to bridge the gap in care can be implemented. Credibility and trustworthiness are of value with this type of research (Houser, 2018) and, once again, are attributes possessed in the nursing profession that permits the holistic approach to patient care.
Research Sampling
Keeping in mind that the sample size must be appropriate to avoid skewed conclusions for the researcher, research sampling is a way to chose participants for a study that share the same characteristics of the target population (El-Masri, 2017) and is important in gaining insight about the sample population in order to implement the change process and determine the best practice as a result of the evaluated evidence. A sampling strategy for quantitative research is convenience sampling or “accidental sampling” in which the target population is easily accessible and more time and cost efficient to the investigator but, can be influenced by bias (Houser, 2018). One sampling strategy learned was snowball sampling where recruiting is done by the participants and is a favorable means of gaining subjects especially when dealing with commonalities of a sensitive nature (Houser, 2018).
Credible Nursing Practice
Credible nursing practice and developing evidence-based nursing relies on research as its motivating force. Patient and staff safety, satisfaction and reconstructing methods of care are the resultants of research. Evidence-based nursing is a daily process that changes as needs change. Implementing the results of structured research, using rigorous sampling methods makes nursing practice safer with comprehensive, validated, verifiable, quantitative and qualitative information providing insight to enhanced patient care. Nursing research must be continual for the profession to remain relevant.
Conclusion
Through the methods discussed in this paper, research provides the proof, the documentation and the effects of interventions to benefit the populations the medical professions serve. Florence Nightingale used quantitative data to improve hospital practices, nursing practices, and hospital construction based upon rigorous and systematic statistical research thus promoting improved healthcare (McDonald, 2010). Between qualitative and quantitative research, no one approach is better than the other – each is necessary, based on the researcher’s viewpoint, design, sampling method and procedure to improve quality patient care (Bressan, et al., 2017). Lynda Ball (2018) quotes Florence Nightingale in reflection of nursing, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses, we must be learning all of our lives” which also solidifies the need for nursing research. Learning, and the improvement of the nursing process, can only be accomplished through diligent, credible nursing research and the continual advancement of evidence-based nursing.
References
Ball, L. (2018). President-Elect Message. The winds of change are upon us. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45(2), 115-212. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=129106226&site=eds-live&scope=site
Bressan, V., Bagnasco, A., Aleo, G., Timmins, F., Barisone, M., Bianchi, M., . . . Sasso, L. (2017, Oct). Mixed-methods research in nursing - a clinical review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2878-2890. Retrieved from https://www.onlinelibrary-wiley-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1111/jocn.13631
Chamberlain University School of Nursing. (2020). Retrieved from NR439 - Week 5 Lesson: Samples and Data Collection: https://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/60146/pages/week-5-lesson-samples-and-data-collection?module_item_id=7833118
El-Masri, M. (2017, Jan-Feb). Introduction to research sampling. The Canadian Nurse, 113(1), 20. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdc&AN=29236412&site=eds-live&scope=site
Hoe, J., & Hoare, Z. (2012-2013, Dec 12-Jan 1). Understanding quantitative research: Part 1. Nursing Standard, 27(15-17), 52-57. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/docview/1242111533?accountid=147674
Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
McDonald, L. (2010, March). Florence Nightingale: Passionate statistician. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 28(1), 92-98. Retrieved from: https:// eds-a-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org . doi:10.1177/0898010109358769
Vinson, K. (2019, Oct). Be the Change: Understanding Quantitative, Qualitative, & Mixed Methods in Holistic Nursing Research. Beginnings, 39(5), pp. 14-16. [Show Less]
