Nursing students can help support evidence-based practice on clinical nursing units

Abstract

A research study was designed to explore whether research utilization projects underwent by student nurses could have an impact on nursing practice on clinical nursing units. The use of evidence-based practice is becoming essential for nursing managers and nursing staff, but there are many barriers to implementing research findings in practice. Student nurses can be used to assist when staff nurses do not have time during the work day. Baccalaureate nursing students completed a research utilization project during their final comprehensive clinical experience. Telephonic interviews were conducted with the students' preceptors 5 months after the students' clinical experience, to obtain their perceptions of the impact of the student project on the nurses' knowledge and practice. The staff nurse preceptors reported the projects were well received with the primary impact of the projects being to educate the nursing staff and patients and thus improve the level of nursing practice on the clinical units. Student research utilization projects are one way to save time for staff nurses and increase their awareness of current research findings.