Authors

  1. Caramanica, Laura PhD, RN, CENP, FACHE, FAAN
  2. Spiva, LeeAnna PhD, RN

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The study identifies what constitutes nurse manager (NM) support and other resources that enable clinical nurses (CNs) to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP).

 

BACKGROUND: Clinical nurses report that NM support enables them to use EBP but what constitutes NM support is still unclear.

 

METHODS: Nurse managers, CNs, and EBP mentors received specialized education and use a team approach for EBP. Data were collected preintervention, mid-intervention, and postintervention from observations, interviews, journaling, and surveys.

 

RESULTS: Results demonstrate how NMs can perform their role responsibilities and still engage CNs to develop a spirit of inquiry, seek answers to their clinical questions using EBP, and advance their clinical performance to improve patient outcomes. Four NM supportive behaviors emerged: cultivating a shared EBP vision, ensuring use of EBP, communicating the value of EBP, and providing resources for EBP.

 

CONCLUSION: Through education and support, NMs describe supportive behaviors necessary for the successful conduction of EBP by CNs.