Date of Award

Fall 2025

Project Type

Clinical Doctorate

College or School

CHHS

Department

Nursing

Program or Major

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Degree Name

Other

First Advisor

Cathleen Colleran, DNP, RN, CNE

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is essential for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs, yet its implementation in nursing remains limited due to persistent barriers such as lack of knowledge, leadership support, time, and resources. Despite these challenges, nurses generally hold positive attitudes toward EBP, indicating a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at enhancing education, training, and organizational commitment. To fully integrate evidence-based practice into nursing care, healthcare systems must address these barriers and invest in sustained support, ensuring that clinical decisions are consistently guided by the best available evidence. A pilot nursing journal club, led by an evidence-based practice mentor and composed of nurse leaders, used structured mentorship, collaborative learning, and validated assessment tools to foster evidence-based practice skills and attitudes. Guided by the ARCC model, the initiative demonstrated how journal clubs can build organizational capacity for evidence-based care and potentially improve patient outcomes through sustained engagement and cultural transformation. The journal club pilot improved participants’ confidence, knowledge, and attitudes toward evidence-based practice, aligning with its goal to embed such practices into clinical decision-making. Structured mentorship, reflective dialogue, and interprofessional collaboration were key drivers of change, supported by the ARCC and Kotter models to overcome common barriers and foster sustained engagement. Despite challenges like declining participation and time constraints, the initiative demonstrated strong individual and organizational impact, suggesting that well-designed, low-cost interventions can yield lasting improvements in healthcare practice.

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