The purpose of nurses reading and critiquing research about the nursing field is to gain a better understanding of the research topic and to evaluate if this research will be effective in every day practice. Nursing is always evolving and changing, so it is important to keep up to date research on certain methods and practices used in the healthcare field.
Article Summary Infection control and precautions is a major aspect when working in the health care field. Nurses and all other healthcare professionals should be properly educated regarding infection control techniques and precautions. This research study conducted by Chia-Jung Wu, Glenn E Gardner and Anne M Chang, measures Taiwanese nursing students’ capability to handle infection control in terms of knowledge, application skills and confidence. From the review of literature and previous studies, data revealed that there is a sufficient lack in knowledge regarding infection control procedures, however these prior results tend to be unconvincing due to only being relatable to certain groups and populations. Throughout this study, a cross sectional survey was used for the research of fourth year nursing students in a five year program in Southern Taiwan. The demographics of the students were studied along with three different scales measuring knowledge, application and confidence. The data was collected from a self-administered questionnaire given out at the different campuses. The results from this study were based off
This literature review has enhanced my knowledge on research articles, how to identify what is a strong or weak study, how to research properly and also, it enhanced my critiquing skill. It is identified that recruiting mental health nurses and mental health is one of the undesirable nursing field of new graduates is a significant contemporary issue in nursing because of the ageing nursing working and the increasing numbers of clients with mental illness (Harrison et al., 2014, pp.561-562).
As a leader in health care, it is important that employees have the proper education and training for compliance with infection control. An infection control practitioner should be assigned surveillance of infections, calculate infection rates, and report these numbers to the appropriate personnel. Clinical nurses, such as nurses, should have periodic evaluations to ensure they are practicing patient safety. There are many other key factors that should be implemented in health care facilities to improve infection control. First is hand hygiene; there could be random observers periodically monitoring a certain floor or department for hand sanitation practices. Secondly, is the health care environment. This includes, making sure employees are sanitizing surfaces and equipment, educating visitors and families on infection control measures, and properly using personal protective equipment. Improper use, wear, and removal of personal protective equipment can cause serious health consequences to the worker and the patients, which means employees need be continuously trained and educated on this equipment.
Evidence-based practice is relied on by professional nurses in order for them to make informed decisions as well as apply critical thinking skills directly to the patient care they provide. The research process allows the nurse to ask and answer questions systematically to ensure the decisions they make are based on sound science. Research provides the evidence needed for nurses to practice based off scientific evidence rather than by tradition (Houser, 2013). Nursing research is fundamental to the practice and is the central principle that defines the nursing profession.
According to Gale and Schaffer (2009) explains that nursing comprises autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, well or sick and in all settings. Nurses promote health, prevent illnesses and care for the sick and disabled people. Other roles of nurses include promotion of a safe environment, participation in shaping health policies, research and system management (Gale & Schaffer, 2009). Research is important in nursing because it validates and refines exiting knowledge and generates new knowledge. According to Newhouse (2007) nursing research helps build an evidence-based practice for nursing. EBP in turn contributes evidence to the effective care of patients. Studies have supported the conclusion that patient outcomes are substantially improved when health care is based on evidence from well-defined studies versus tradition or clinical expertise and opinions alone. The ultimate goal of nursing is therefore an evidence-based practice that promotes quality, cost effective outcomes for patients, families, healthcare providers and the healthcare system (Closson, 2005; Salbach, Jaglal, Korner-Bitensky, Rappolt & Davis, 2007). EBP evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient needs and values (Aarons, Wells, Zagursky, Fettes & Palinkas,
Burn, N and Groves, S.K (2005) The Practice of Nursing Research. (6th edition), Elservier, Missouri 63146
Weston, D., & Ebrary. (2008). Infection prevention and control: Theory and clinical practice for healthcare professionals. Hoboken, NJ;Chichester, England;: John Wiley & Sons.
Why should nurses incorporate research? Nurses should incorporate research in their scope of practice to deliver the highest and safest quality health care. This is based on proven scientific evaluation, peer review, combined with one’s clinical experience, critical thinking, and competency. (Stevens, 2013), “research produces the most reliable knowledge about the likelihood that a given strategy will change a patient's current health status into desired outcomes”. With these analyses, I believe that nurses can achieve great outcomes and patient satisfaction. However in our class lecture, Chamberlain College of Nursing (CCN, 2015), states that “research yields evidence upon which nurses may base their practice, i.e., evidence-based practice”. In a nut-shell, nurses’ combine research to improve their scope of practice, innovate nursing concept, and enlarge nursing knowledge (Hood, 2014, p. 243).
Knowing nursing research is quite important in building your knowledge by gathering significant information that you will implement in clinical practice
Planning a nursing study is a daunting task to undertake. Several factors that need consideration when designing a study. According to Polit & Beck researchers want their findings to be valid, reliable and trustworthy (2012). When researching a topic one must critique the research to be sure the study is appropriate.
Now we might think has none, that other nurses are in charge of research. However, create a base of scientific knowledge and use this evidence in practice requires the participation of all the nurses in several research activities. Some nurses develop research and conduct studies to generate and improve the knowledge necessary for the nursing practice. Others are users of research and use of research evidence to improve their nursing practice.
Overwhelming workloads of hospitals nurses present a considerable problem for the American health system. With the growing nursing shortage resulting from an aging population and the pressure felt by health care organizations to reduce nursing staff in response to massive budget cuts, nurses are being forced to care for too many patients at one time causing severe work stress, fatigue, and burnout. Consequently, the quality of patient care suffers. Implementing a safe staffing strategy to assess the needs of registered nurses (RNs) in the acute care setting would ensure better patient outcomes and guarantee the diminution of the current healthcare crisis.
Benton, C. and Cormack, D. (2000). Reviewing and evaluating the literature. In D. Cormack (ed.) The Research Process in Nursing. 4th Edition. London: London Chapter.
Nursing research has been a part of nursing practice for many years, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative research; it is essential in guiding nursing practice. Many nurses have a baseline understanding of research in general, but it is important for the researcher to understand their own values and beliefs when determining the type of research they will be performing. By understanding the differences between epistemology, methodology, and methods, the researcher can confidently conduct a valid research project.
2. Do you think honesty is an important part of your nursing practice? Can you
Furthering nursing research is essential, as it forms the basis for evidence-based practice in healthcare today. With this in mind, developing the skills to critically appraise research articles is of the utmost importance in order to determine the relevance of research findings for clinical practice. As I pursue a doctorate degree in nursing practice, I am reminded of the necessity of these skills. Thus, in the following paragraphs, I will reflect on the research goals I developed at the beginning of the Critique and Design of Nursing Research course, and will discuss my views on the role of the graduate nurse in regard to