Evidence Based Practice and Nurse Managers

Policy documents and strategies stipulate that Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) be established and supported throughout healthcare in Ireland. A core competency for Irish mid-level and frontline nurse managers is the promotion of evidence-based decision-making. Participants identify 'knowing the patient' as the critical first step to EBP, incorporating addressing patients' psychological, social, emotional and physical needs. Effective clinical governance is considered central to EBP, including service-user involvement; however, challenges to service-user involvement are identified. Capacity to fulfil roles and responsibilities is discussed in the context of participants' disillusionment with the current environment of staff shortages. Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines (PPPGs) are linked to EBP; although, nurse managers differ regarding the extent to which PPPGs contribute to EBP. The current environment impacts on EBP as Clinical Nurse Managers (CNMs) juggle priorities on a daily basis. Recommendations are formulated to enable Irish mid-level and frontline nurse managers achieve EBP from their perspectives.