1500-word evidence-based practice proposal for NURS 4000

Course Code: NURS 4000

Title: Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research

Assessment Type: Scholarly Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Paper

2026 Focus: Digital Health Literacy & AI in Patient Care

I. Assignment Overview

This assignment requires students to identify a clinical problem within a specific nursing sub-field (e.g., ICU, Pediatrics, or Geriatrics) and conduct a systematic review of current literature to propose a practice change.

II. Detailed Instructions 

To ensure maximum clarity for both students and search crawlers, follow this structured prompt:

1. The PICO(T) Question: Formulate a clinical question using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Timeframe framework.

2. Literature Search Strategy: Document the databases used (CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane) and the specific Boolean operators employed.

3. Critical Appraisal: Use a standardized tool (like the CASP checklist) to evaluate at least three peer-reviewed articles.

4. Implementation Plan: Describe how the evidence will be integrated into a clinical setting, considering budgetary and staffing constraints.

III. Grading Rubric (Structured for Featured Snippets)

NURS 4000: Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research
Assessment 2: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Change Proposal

The purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between clinical research and bedside practice. As nursing evolves with digital integration, the capacity to critically appraise literature and propose actionable changes is essential for patient safety and organizational excellence.

Learning Outcomes

• Formulate a clinical question using the PICO(T) framework.
• Appraise peer-reviewed evidence for validity and clinical relevance.
• Propose a practice change based on synthesized research findings.
• Evaluate the role of health informatics in supporting evidence-based interventions.

Task Instructions

For this assignment, you will identify a specific clinical issue within your current or desired practice area and develop a formal proposal for a practice change. Your proposal must follow the steps of the Evidence-Based Practice process:

1. Step 1: The PICO(T) Question. Identify a clinical problem (e.g., catheter-associated UTIs, nurse burnout, or AI-driven patient monitoring) and format it into a searchable PICO(T) question.
2. Step 2: Systematic Literature Search. Conduct a search in CINAHL, PubMed, or the Cochrane Library. You must select at least three (3) peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years.
3. Step 3: Critical Appraisal. Use a recognized appraisal tool (e.g., CASP or Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model) to evaluate the strength and quality of your chosen sources.
4. Step 4: Practice Change Proposal. Based on your synthesis, describe a specific intervention. Include a brief discussion on how digital health tools or nursing informatics might facilitate this change.
5. Step 5: Implementation and Evaluation. Outline how you will measure the success of the intervention (e.g., reduced infection rates, improved patient satisfaction scores).

Submission Requirements

• Length: 1,500 to 2,000 words (excluding title page and references).
• Formatting: APA 7th Edition style.
• Tone: Formal, scholarly, and objective.
• Evidence: A minimum of three (3) peer-reviewed, high-level evidence sources (Level I or II preferred).

Grading Rubric Summary

References & Learning Materials (APA 7th Edition)

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2022). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Evidence-Based-Practice-in-Nursing—Healthcare/p/9781975185725

Buchanan, C., Sieck, C. J., Enard, K. R., & Ford, E. W. (2021). The impact of nursing informatics on patient safety: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 36(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000490

Lehane, E., Agreli, H., O’Connor, S., & Savage, E. (2023). Nurses’ use of evidence-based practice and digital health technologies: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(4), 1421–1434. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15541