Blog: LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD
For this Blog, you will look back at your experience in this course and consider the most important things you learned, the challenges you faced, and the areas for improvement that you identified. Then, you will look forward and consider the ways you will implement what you have learned in your future professional practice as a DNP-prepared nurse.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
· Amit-Aharon, A., Melnikov, S., & Warshawski, S. (2020).
The effect of evidence-based practice perception, information literacy self-efficacy, and academic motivation on nursing students’ future implementation of evidence-based practiceLinks to an external site..
Journal of Professional Nursing, 36(6), 497–502.
· Bramer, W. M., De Jonge, G. B., Rethlefsen, M. L., Mast, F., & Kleijnen, J. (2018).
A systematic approach to searching: An efficient and complete method to develop literature searchesLinks to an external site..
Journal of the Medical Library Association, 106(4), 531.
· Heer, B. R., Gillette, C., Geary, A., & McDaniel, M. J. (2024).
Clinical physician assistant students’ perceptions of evidence-based medicine resources: A cross-sectional examinationLinks to an external site..
Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 43(2), 119–129.
· Song, C. (2024).
Changes in evidence-based practice self-efficacy among nursing students and the impact of clinical competencies: Longitudinal descriptive studyLinks to an external site..
Nurse Education Today, 132, Article 106008.
To Prepare
· Review the learning resources for Week 11. Consider the role of the DNP-prepared nurse when it comes to advocating for or implementing a practice organization change or creating an organizational culture that embraces translation and application of evidence for quality improvement.
· Reflect on your experiences in this course. Consider what challenged you the most. What areas for improvement have you identified?
· Reflect on your experiences in this course. Consider what you learned that was totally new for you. What were your biggest takeaways, eye-openers, or revelations? Did you have any “aha” moments?
· Think about your future professional practice as a DNP-prepared nurse. How do you plan to use what you have learned in thus course?
By Day 3 Of Week 11
Post the following related to your experiences in this course:
· Describe something that was challenging for you. Explain why it was challenging and what you did about it. Be specific and provide examples.
· Describe an area for improvement that you have identified. What are your plans to improve in this area? Be specific and provide examples.
· Describe something you learned that was totally new for you or which you consider a key takeaway that you will use in the future. Be specific and provide examples.
· Explain how you plan to use what you have learned in this course in your future professional practice as a DNP-prepared nurse.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.
By Day 6 of Week 11
Respond to at least
two of your colleagues, on different days, by offering suggestions or further insight related to the challenge they identified, the area for improvement they identified, the key takeaway they identified, and/or their plans for the future.
Note: Your responses should enrich the initial post by supporting and/or adding a fresh viewpoint and be constructive, enhancing the learning experience for all students.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained because of your colleagues’ comments.
Julia
Looking Back to Look Forward
Challenges Faced and How I Overcame Them: Navigating the Complexities of DNP One of the most challenging aspects of this course was synthesizing Level 1 evidence into practical applications for evidence-based practice change. Finding systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) directly related to my area of focus. To address this challenge, I had to refine my search strategies, expand my database to CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, and incorporate lower-level evidence, such as cohort studies, to support my findings. This process strengthened my ability to evaluate research and critically apply evidence where gaps exist.
Identified Area for Improvement
I need to improve my ability to translate research into policy advocacy. While I understand evidence-based practice, creating policy proposals that fit institutional and legislative frameworks has been challenging. I plan to join organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) to gain insights into policy development. Additionally, I will attend health policy workshops to enhance my skills in linking research findings to healthcare policy changes.
Key Takeaway: The Transformative Power of Implementation Science One of my biggest takeaways was learning about implementation science—the structured process of integrating research into clinical practice and organizational change. Before this course, I was familiar with evidence-based
practice. However, I had limited knowledge about theories and models that drive implementation success, such as the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) Model. Understanding the systematic translation of research into practice has shifted my perspective on how sustainable change occurs in healthcare.
Applying What I Have Learned in My Future Practice
As a DNP-prepared nurse, I plan to leverage what I have learned to drive organizational change and improve patient outcomes. I am committed to continuous learning. I will apply evidence-based implementation models to introduce new interventions in behavioral health and correctional settings, ensuring that research findings are effectively integrated into daily practice. I
I will mentor and educate nurses on evidence-based practice, promoting a culture of lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement. Lastly, I will use my growing advocacy skills to influence policy changes that enhance healthcare access for underserved populations, always seeking new knowledge and strategies to further my impact.
This course has been instrumental in refining my critical thinking, research translation, and leadership skills. I am grateful for its learning opportunities, positioning me to make a meaningful impact in nursing and healthcare reform. I carry forward the lessons learned with a sense of appreciation for the journey and a commitment to continuous improvement.
