In order for evidence-based nursing practice to be successful, it must be accepted and
supported by nursing leadership and the bedside nurse.
Please interview a nurse leader and a bedside nurse concerning their perspective on the
barriers to the use of evidence-based nursing practice in their clinical settings.
Describe the barriers identified and provide interventions/solutions that are identified in
the literature and that may alleviate the barriers.
End your discussion with a reflection on how you will enact the role of evidence-based
nursing practice champion in your clinical area.
Provide at least three citations with full references to credible nursing scholarly articles
supporting your definitions and discussion.
Barriers to Evidence-based Nursing Practice
Evidence-based research is one of the most valued principles in nursing today. However,
evidence-based research is faced with a number of challenges and barriers. These barriers have
been identified and possible solutions discussed (Brown et al, 2009). Health professionals are
currently using accountability in their nursing care and also there are campaigns to ensure that
they use research findings in their provision of nursing care (Dysart, & Tomlin, 2002). The
barriers that prevent the application of available evidence in nursing care include limited
relevance of evidence in nursing, maintaining old practices in nursing care, ability to look for
evidence-based information, poor computer facilities, poor patient compliance, and difficulties in
influencing changes within the primary care (Brown et al, 2009). With these barriers, the nurses
find it difficult to access evidence based information and even when they have the information it
is difficult to put it into practice because of the existing hospital systems and poor cooperation
between the nursing personnel and the patients (Retsas, 2000).
Identifying the barriers plays a very big role in the process of finding solutions for them.
Extra resources need to be allocated so as to provide facilities that allow access to information
such as computers and installation of internet connection (Dysart, & Tomlin, 2002). There is also
BARRIERS TO EVIDENCE-BASED NURSING PRACTICE 2
need to sensitize the public so that they can accept the changes that are implemented in nursing
care. The coordination between the public and the nursing personnel makes it easy for nurses to
implement evidence-based nursing practice. In my clinical area, I will ensure that the nursing
care centers have adequate number of computers with wireless internet connection. I will also
ensure that sessions are set aside to educate the public within the hospitals (Retsas, 2000).
References
Brown, C. E., Wickline, M. A., Ecoff, L., & Glaser, D. (2009). Nursing practice, knowledge,
attitudes and perceived barriers to evidence‐based practice at an academic medical center.
Journal of advanced nursing, 65(2), 371-381.
Dysart, A. M., & Tomlin, G. S. (2002). Factors related to evidence-based practice among US
occupational therapy clinicians. The American journal of occupational therapy, 56(3),
275-284.
Retsas, A. (2000). Barriers to using research evidence in nursing practice. Journal of Advanced
Nursing, 31(3), 599-606.