What Are The Benefits of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing?

Nurses are responsible for the care they provide to their patients. Evidence-based practice in nursing means making decisions about patient care on the basis of current best available evidence. It helps the nurse provide high-quality care to her patients based on research and knowledge.

Efficiency

• Evidence-based practice increases the efficiency of nurses. Making decisions based on knowledge that is backed by research makes it easier for a nurse to choose what care to provide to her patient as opposed to trying something that may or may not be beneficial to her patient. This saves her time, which she can devote to patients who need more intensive care from her.

Better Patient Outcome

• Nurses regularly make decisions on what care to provide for their patients. These decisions can impact the patients' health negatively or positively. The patient will likely experience a better outcome when the care is based on researched and proven methods.

It Keeps Nursing Practice Current

• For nurses to apply evidence-based practice in the care they provide, they have to stay informed on any new discoveries that have been made. This encourages them to read materials that cover nursing research thus keeping their practice current.

Decision Making

• Using evidence-based practice to provide care to patients increases the nurse's confidence. This is because she knows that she is basing her decisions about patient care on valid information that has been thoroughly researched.

Magnet Status

• Incorporating evidence-based practice into the nursing care at a hospital may help the hospital achieve Magnet status. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice. Being a magnet facility, assures patients that they are getting excellent nursing service.