Name
Chamberlain University
NR-585: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
The study conducted by Smith-Miller (2022) aimed to explore nurses’ perspectives on the factors that either hinder or support the integration of research findings into everyday clinical practice. Specifically, the purpose was to identify site-specific barriers and facilitators to evidence-informed practice using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Understanding these perspectives was essential to create supportive environments where nurses could effectively translate research into patient care.
The study utilized a survey-based descriptive design. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and item correlation analyses, while qualitative responses were analyzed through narrative review. Open-ended questions were used to capture detailed insights about barriers and facilitators. Surveys were administered electronically, and responses were evaluated for completeness, consistency, and reliability before statistical analysis (see Table 1).
What are nurses’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to implementing research findings and evidence into practice?
The research sought to address how work environments influence evidence-informed practice. Although previous studies have often focused on nurses’ knowledge and individual skills, this study highlighted the organizational context as a critical factor in shaping implementation outcomes.
A revised survey consisting of 25 core items was distributed to nurses within an academic medical center in the Southeastern United States. The response scale ranged from “strongly disagree” (1) to “strongly agree” (4), with an option of “no opinion” (0). Additionally, open-ended questions (Q26–Q28) were included to allow participants to describe personal experiences with barriers and facilitators of evidence-informed practice.
Two demographic questions were incorporated: current role (Q29) and highest academic degree (Q30). All completed surveys were securely stored on a password-protected online platform. The instrument used was based on the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale, modified with permission to align with study objectives.
The survey tool was reviewed by two nurse scientists, experienced clinical nurses, and the site’s nursing research council, ensuring content validity. Confidentiality was maintained, and responses were collected over a two-week period. To increase participation, respondents were offered entry into a gift card drawing, though entries were stored separately from survey responses to preserve anonymity.
Data analysis involved several steps:
| Analysis Type | Method Used |
|---|---|
| Data Cleaning | Incomplete surveys with >10 missing items were excluded. |
| Quantitative Analysis | Conducted using IBM SPSS 24 with descriptive statistics and reliability tests. |
| Qualitative Analysis | Narrative comments analyzed using NVivo 11 software. |
| Psychometric Testing | Item correlations, Cronbach’s α, and factor analysis were used. |
| Scale Validation | Eigenvalues, variance percentages, and scree tests were performed. |
This rigorous methodology ensured that the results were both trustworthy and credible.
The findings demonstrated that nurses generally had positive attitudes toward evidence-informed practice. However, they also reported significant barriers, such as:
Lack of sufficient time to implement evidence
Limited knowledge or skills to apply research findings
Organizational “change fatigue” due to frequent procedural updates
Bureaucratic or complex internal processes
On the other hand, key facilitators were identified, including:
Strong support from colleagues
Guidance from experienced mentors
Access to professional resources, such as research libraries and databases
These insights highlighted the importance of fostering supportive environments to promote sustainable change in clinical practice.
The outcomes of this study can be effectively applied to enhance client care and organizational performance. Nurse leaders and administrators can use these insights to:
Develop supportive infrastructures for research and evidence-based practice (EBP).
Integrate findings into quality improvement (QI) programs.
Provide continuous professional development and mentorship opportunities for staff nurses.
Streamline internal processes to reduce procedural barriers to implementing change.
By embedding these strategies into practice, healthcare organizations can foster a culture of inquiry and innovation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring evidence-based care delivery.
If the results were not applied, valuable opportunities for improving care efficiency, staff engagement, and patient safety could be missed, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating such findings into nursing practice.
Smith-Miller, C. A. (2022). Implementing evidence-informed practice changes: Barriers, facilitators, and work environments. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 52(4), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001132
