Amy Hagedorn Wonder

Validity and Reliability Evidence for a New Measure: The Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Assessment in Nursing.

BACKGROUND Studies of evidence-based practice (EBP) among nurses often focus on attitudes and beliefs about EBP and self-reported EBP knowledge. Because knowledge self-assessments can be highly inaccurate, the authors developed and tested a new objective measure of EBP knowledge--the Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Assessment in Nursing (EKAN). METHOD Seven subject matter experts reviewed candidate items, resulting in a scale content validity index of 0.94. Rasch modeling was used to evaluate item-person performance on the proposed unidimensional trait of EBP knowledge. The candidate item pool was then tested among 200 undergraduate nursing students. RESULTS Strong evidence of unidimensionality was confirmed by narrow item infit statistics centering on 1.0. The item separation index was 7.05, and the person separation index was 1.66. Item reliability was 0.98, and person reliability was 0.66. CONCLUSION The 20-item EKAN showed strong psychometric properties for an instrument developed under the Rasch model and is available for use in research and educational contexts.

Engagement in RNs working in Magnet®-designated hospitals: exploring the significance of work experience.

This study analyzed and evaluated the relationships between work engagement (WE) and work experience among acute-care RNs in Magnet®-designated hospitals. The organizational structures of Magnet-designated hospitals are recognized to promote RN engagement, yet limited knowledge exists on engendering engagement to the same degree in all nurses. The study used a descriptive, correlational design. A convenience sample of RNs (n = 220) completed 2 surveys to measure WE, RN experience, and unit longevity (years of experience in the current setting). Significant relationships were found between WE and RN experience in any setting, within the consistent organizational structures of Magnet-designated hospitals. This study highlights the importance of organizational structures and the significance of RN experience in creating engagement among nurses. Enhancing engagement in the RN workforce facilitates retention and improved outcomes for patients, nurses, and organizations.

Work engagement in Magnet(®)-designated hospitals: Exploring social and institutional demographics of RNs to optimize improvement efforts.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed and evaluated relationships between work engagement (WE) and social/institutional demographic variables of RNs in Magnet®-designated hospitals. BACKGROUND: Organizational structures of Magnet-designated hospitals are recognized to promote engagement of RNs. Because little is known about relationships between WE and the social/institutional demographics of nurses, this study focused on age (generation), gender, education, shift, hours worked per week, percentage of time in direct patient care, and nursing unit. METHODS: A convenience sample of hospital RNs (n = 220) completed 2 surveys to measure WE and demographic variables in this descriptive correlational study. RESULTS: Shift was significantly related to RN engagement; however, age, gender, education, hours worked per week, percentage of time in direct patient care, and nursing unit were not. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical evidence about the relationships between WE and social/institutional characteristics of RNs. The findings are relevant to patients, nurses, nurse leaders, and organizations.

Supporting and Empowering Direct‐Care Nurses to Promote EBP: An Example of Evidence‐Based Policy Development, Education, and Practice Change

This column shares the best evidence-based strategies and innovative ideas on how to facilitate the learning and implementation of EBP principles and processes by clinicians as well as nursing and interprofessional students. Guidelines for submission are available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1741-6787.

Using an Academic and Practice Partnership to Teach and Promote EBP

INTRODUCTION To promote quality and safety in health care, outcome measures are often utilized to gauge organizational performance. Yet, in a recent national study of chief nursing officers, more than one-third reported their hospitals were not meeting quality benchmarks (Melnyk et al., 2016). Because nursing practice is directed by professional standards and organizational policies, and evidence-based practice (EBP) has been shown to facilitate improved patient care and outcomes, it is imperative that organizational policies reflect current, best evidence (Ubbink, Guyatt, & Vermeulen, 2013).