Evidence-based Nursing Practice in New York State: A Delphi Study

Background. Today’s landscape of population health, economics, and educational delivery methods have influenced the progress and implementation of nursing practice built on the best evidence. International literature has documented barriers to implementing and sustaining evidence-based practice (EBP). Purpose. The purposes of this study were to (a) identify barriers to implementing evidence into clinical practice in New York State (NYS), (b) prioritize resources needed to address these barriers, and (c) determine how the Cathryne A. Welch Center for Nursing (CNR) of the Foundation of NYS Nurses might provide support to address the identified barriers. Methodology. Using a modified Delphi technique, a sample of nurse leaders completed two online survey rounds. The first Round provided qualitative feedback, which was categorized via content analysis, with a second Round that asked respondents to rank the categories from Round I. Results. Organizational culture, productivity demands, and time were ranked as the top three barriers to implementing EBP in NYS. Time, leader support, and guidance/mentoring were identified as top resources needed to employ EBP. Respondents reported the CNR could facilitate EBP through financial support, communication, and mentoring. Data stratification revealed differences between rural and urban respondents, academic and clinical respondents, and geographical regions of the State, and differences in resources and support needed. Conclusion. Findings confirm barriers for NYS nurses mirror those described in the literature. Resources and support needed, however, may be demographically specific. Awareness of these differences will enable the CNR to best support NYS nurses’ implementation of EBP across the State. MeSH Keywords: Nursing, Delphi Technique, Evidence-Based Practice, Barriers to EBP, Resources for EBP