Oncology nurses and the experience of participation in an evidence-based practice project.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To illuminate the experiences of oncology nurses who participated in an evidence-based practice (EBP) project in an institution with an EBP organizational structure.

RESEARCH APPROACH

A descriptive phenomenologic approach and in-depth interviews with each participant.

SETTING

An oncology-focused academic medical center with an established organizational infrastructure for EBP.

PARTICIPANTS

12 RNs working in an oncology setting who participated in an EBP project.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Descriptive, qualitative phenomenologic approach through use of interviews and analysis of interview text.

FINDINGS

Four essential themes (i.e., support, challenges, evolution, and empowerment) and 11 subthemes emerged that reflected nurses' professional and personal growth, as well as the creation of a culture of EBP in the workplace.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants described the EBP project as a positive, empowering personal and professional evolutionary experience with supports and challenges that resulted in improvements in patient care.

INTERPRETATION

To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first qualitative study to demonstrate improved nursing outcomes (e.g., professional growth, improved nursing performance) and nurses' perception of improved patient outcomes (e.g., ongoing healthcare collaboration, evidence-based changes in practice).