Research Methods in Evidence Based Practice in Nursing

Qualitative Evidence in Evidence-based (nursing) practice by Bente Hoeck, University of Aarhus and University Hospital of Odense, Denmark. This is a qualitative article evaluating the effectiveness of evidence based nursing practice. According to the article, qualitative research has not been developed well enough to analyze and give appropriate findings on the quality of nursing patients receive in terms of evidence based practice in nursing. Bente Hoeck also finds fault in the application of evidence based nursing because so much is done by the book that the patient’s wishes are not substantial to the nursing process (Hoeck, 2006). Also the evidence based nursing according to Hoeck is complicated and it makes it more difficult to use qualitative research to tackle it. 

Education and Implementing Evidence-Based Nursing Practice for Diabetic Patients by (Salsali, Cheragi, & Varaei, 2013) is a quantitative research on the evidence based nursing practice care for diabetic patients in Iran. The article details the statistics of the patients where the case study was conducted on a sample size of sixteen patients. Quantitative research is all about figures and statistics showing the impact of a certain nursing policy on the patients. In this research, the response to the care by the nurses would only be revealed by the nurses anonymously because ethically, they cannot disclose detailed patient details to researchers (Salsali, Cheragi, & Varaei, 2013). According to this research, evidence based nursing is important in preventing the diabetic patients from developing related complications by ensuring good management of condition on a daily basis.

It is easier to understand the qualitative research on this topic. However, the qualitative research method also gives a clear vision on what the situation in the hospitals is. The two research methods combined would be easier to understand but in this case, the details on the qualitative research is easier to understand. It describes the situation in a precise manner and the criticisms raised can be confirmed. In nursing, the quantitative research is easier to conduct and this translated to it being easier to understand. However, the questions left unanswered by the quantitative research in evidence-based nursing are many. Qualitative research does not leave any questions unanswered. Qualitative research takes more time to read and comprehend but it is a satisfactory read.

Conducting a research on evidence-based practice in nursing, I would use a mixed research method. The process of combining the two research methods would make the end result very clear and progressive. The challenge would be collecting data that is both qualitative and quantitative at the same time. The process of analyzing the data would also be tedious but the end result is what matters. This research method may take up a lot of time and resources but its findings will help in improving the evidence based practice and in effect improving the quality of health care. Good health care translates to more healthy people and more satisfied health care workers. At the moment, this type of research would come in handy because there are so many factors that are affecting the nursing profession from understaffing to the state of their working conditions. Health care is based on the ability of nurses to function which makes the nurses the most important people in the health care system. There proper functioning means that the health care system is cured in its entirety.

Political Letter

Contact Information

Date 

Salutation

RE: SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN HEALTH CARE SECTOR

I am (name), a nurse at a public hospital in Santa Cruz County. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz and now I work in the public hospitals within the county. The shortage of nurses has been a problem in this county for a long time. The shortage has also led to the deterioration of health care in the county and the situation shows no signs of improving any time soon. This shortage is my main purpose of writing to you. I have been concerned and knowing that you are in the congress as an elected person who hails from Santa Cruz, I wrote to you requesting that you take a look at the situation. 

As a nurse, the shortage has taken a toll on those of us serving in the public hospitals. We have very long shifts and have to serve more than one hospital within the county. Personally, I find that the quality of health care services I offer in this state are greatly compromised. I joined this profession out of passion for saving human life and restoring health in people. The situation, however, makes me feel that I am underachieving my objective. The operation policies in the county require that each nurse should ensure that a patient under their care is well cared for and when necessary, assisted with post hospitalization transition. The ratio of nurses to patients is continuously getting skewed. With your help, I believe that the state or the national government can help and lighten the burden by employing more nurses. The health of the people of Santa Cruz is at stake and not due to ignorance or bad faith, we as the nurses are overwhelmed and some end up resigning when they can no longer keep up with the pressure (White, 2017).

The community of Santa Cruz deserves better care as long as the training centers for nurses are up and running (Nursing, 2006). I would, therefore, request that you lobby with your colleagues who are in a position to help us get more nurses. There are various ways of selling the idea to them on getting more nurses hired, first it is important that you understand the situation on the ground. The current ratio of nurses to patients stands at one nurse serves close to fifty patients in a span of two hours. That gives each patient only two and a half minutes of care by a nurse. The nurse by the end of one shift is exhausted and inefficient. The talking points to your colleagues should effective cover;

• The training facilities for nurses
• The hiring process for nurses
• The equipment used for nursing patients and finally,
• How to make the nursing profession a career that people can consider joining.

Finally, I appreciate your attention to reading through this letter notifying you on the shortage of nurses. I am positive that you will look into the matter for the sake of the health of the people of Santa Cruz. I will gladly offer any clarification you seek and would also like to be part of the process of making the situation improve. For this and any other reasons you may need to get in touch, my contact information is included in this letter. 

Thank you in advance.

Yours faithfully,

(Name.)

References

Nursing, A. A. (2006). State Legislative Initiatives to Adress the Nursing Shortage. Washington DC.: One Dupont Circle.

White, S. (2017). The Nursing Shortage Isn’t Due to Lack of Interest. Retrieved from Monster World Wide: www.monster.com/career-advice/article/nursing-shortage

References

Hoeck, B. (2006). Qualitative Evidence in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. Illinois: Urbana Campaigns.

Nursing, A. A. (2006). State Legislative Initiatives to Adress the Nursing Shortage. Washington DC.: One Dupont Circle.

Salsali, M., Cheragi, M. A., & Varaei, S. (2013, June). Education and Implementing Evidence-Based Nursing Practice for Diabetic Patients. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 1-.

White, S. (2017). The Nursing Shortage Isn’t Due to Lack of Interest. Retrieved from Monster World Wide: www.monster.com/career-advice/article/nursing-shortage