How to Write an EBP Paper in Nursing: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is an EBP paper in nursing?

An evidence-based practice (EBP) paper in nursing is a written assignment that applies scientific evidence to nursing practice. EBP papers are typically written by nursing students, but they can also be written by experienced nurses who are interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise with others.

Why write an EBP paper in nursing?

There are many reasons why you might want to write an EBP paper in nursing. Here are a few:

• To improve your nursing practice. EBP papers can help you to stay up-to-date on the latest research and to apply the best available evidence to your patients’ care.
• To contribute to the nursing profession. EBP papers can help to advance nursing knowledge and practice by sharing your findings with other nurses.
• To meet the requirements of a nursing course or program. Many nursing programs require students to write an EBP paper as part of their curriculum.

Audience for this article

This article is intended for students and nurses who are interested in writing an EBP paper. The article assumes that the reader has some basic knowledge of nursing research and evidence-based practice.

Overview of the EBP paper writing process

The EBP paper writing process can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Choosing a topic

2. Conducting a literature review

3. Developing a PICOT question

4. Designing the EBP project

5. Implementing the EBP project

6. Evaluating the EBP project

7. Writing the EBP paper

Body

Section 1: Choosing a topic

When choosing a topic for your EBP paper, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Your interests and expertise.

  Choose a topic that you are interested in and that you have some knowledge about.

• The relevance of the topic to nursing practice and education.

  Choose a topic that is important to nursing and that has implications for nursing practice or education.

• The feasibility of the topic.

  Make sure that you have access to the necessary information and resources to write a paper on your chosen topic.

Here are some examples of EBP paper topics:

• The effectiveness of different pain management interventions for patients with cancer
• The impact of patient education on medication adherence in patients with diabetes
• The use of telemedicine to improve access to healthcare for rural patients
• The effectiveness of different strategies for reducing falls in elderly patients
• The impact of cultural competence training on nurses’ attitudes and behaviors towards LGBTQ+ patients

Section 2: Conducting a literature review

A literature review is a summary and critique of the existing research on a particular topic. It is important to conduct a literature review to support your EBP project with evidence.

To conduct a literature review, start by gathering research articles and other sources of information on your chosen topic. You can use your school’s library database to search for relevant literature. You can also consider using other sources, such as government websites, professional organizations, and news articles.

Once you have gathered your sources, read them carefully and evaluate the evidence. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each study, and identify the key findings.

Finally, summarize the key findings of the literature in your own words. Be sure to cite your sources properly.

Section 3: Developing a PICOT question

A PICOT question is a focused question that is used to guide an EBP project. PICOT questions have five components:

• Population (P)

  : The group of people that you are interested in studying.

• Intervention (I)

  : The treatment or intervention that you are interested in evaluating.

• Comparison intervention (C)

  : The treatment or intervention that you are comparing the intervention to.

• Outcome (O)

  : The result that you are interested in measuring.

• Time frame (T)

  : The length of time that you are interested in studying.

For example, a PICOT question for an EBP project on the effectiveness of different pain management interventions for patients with cancer might be:

In patients with advanced cancer, what is the effectiveness of oral morphine compared to oral oxycodone in relieving pain over a 6-week period?

Once you have developed a PICOT question, you can start to design your EBP project.

Section 4: Designing the EBP project

When designing your EBP project, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The type of study that you will conduct.

  There are many different types of studies that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. Some common types of studies include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and case studies.

• The data that you will collect.

  The data that you collect will depend on the type of study that you are conducting and the outcome that you are interested in measuring. For example, if you are conducting an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention in reducing pain, you might collect data on patient pain scores and medication use.

• The methods that you will use to analyze the data.

  Once you have collected your data, you will need to analyze it to determine whether the intervention was effective. There are many different statistical methods that can be used to analyze data.

Section 5: Implementing the EBP project

Once you have designed your EBP project, you can start to implement it. This involves collecting data from the participants in your study.

It is important to obtain informed consent from all participants before collecting any data. You should also ensure that your study is conducted in an ethical manner.

Section 6: Evaluating the EBP project

Once you have collected your data, you need to analyze it to determine whether the intervention was effective. This involves using statistical methods to compare the outcomes of the intervention group to the outcomes of the control group.

If the intervention group had better outcomes than the control group, then the intervention can be considered to be effective.

Section 7: Writing the EBP paper

Once you have evaluated your EBP project, you can start to write your EBP paper. Your EBP paper should include the following sections:

• Introduction:

  State the purpose of the paper and provide a brief overview of the topic.

• Literature review:

  Summarize the key findings of the literature on your chosen topic.

• PICOT question:

  State your PICOT question.

• EBP project design:

  Describe the EBP project that you designed.

• EBP project implementation:

  Describe how you implemented the EBP project.

• EBP project evaluation:

  Analyze the data that you collected and determine whether the EBP project was successful.

• Conclusion:

  Summarize the key points of the paper and reiterate your findings.

Section 8: Tips for writing a strong EBP paper

Here are some tips for writing a strong EBP paper:

• Be clear and concise. Avoid using jargon and overly complicated language.
• Use evidence to support your claims. Cite your sources properly.
• Be objective and unbiased. Avoid stating opinions as facts.
• Proofread your paper carefully before submitting it.

Conclusion

Summary of key points

Writing an EBP paper is a valuable way to improve your nursing practice and to contribute to the nursing profession. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can write a strong EBP paper that will demonstrate your critical thinking skills, your knowledge of nursing research, and your commitment to evidence-based practice.

Tips for writing a strong EBP paper

• Be clear and concise.
• Use evidence to support your claims.
• Be objective and unbiased.
• Proofread your paper carefully.

FAQs

What is the difference between an EBP paper and a research paper?

An EBP paper is a type of research paper, but it has a specific focus on applying scientific evidence to nursing practice. A research paper, on the other hand, can be about any topic related to nursing.

What should I include in the introduction of my EBP paper?

The introduction of your EBP paper should state the purpose of the paper and provide a brief overview of the topic. You should also discuss the relevance of the topic to nursing practice and education.

**How should I conduct a literature review for my EBP paper?**

To conduct a literature review, start by gathering research articles and other sources of information on your chosen topic. You can use your school’s library database to search for relevant literature. You can also consider using other sources, such as government websites, professional organizations, and news articles.

Once you have gathered your sources, read them carefully and evaluate the evidence. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each study, and identify the key findings.

Finally, summarize the key findings of the literature in your own words. Be sure to cite your sources properly.

How should I develop a PICOT question for my EBP paper?

A PICOT question is a focused question that is used to guide an EBP project. PICOT questions have five components:

• Population (P): The group of people that you are interested in studying.
• Intervention (I): The treatment or intervention that you are interested in evaluating.
• Comparison intervention (C): The treatment or intervention that you are comparing the intervention to.
• Outcome (O): The result that you are interested in measuring.
• Time frame (T): The length of time that you are interested in studying.

For example, a PICOT question for an EBP project on the effectiveness of different pain management interventions for patients with cancer might be:

In patients with advanced cancer, what is the effectiveness of oral morphine compared to oral oxycodone in relieving pain over a 6-week period?

Once you have developed a PICOT question, you can start to design your EBP project.

How should I design an EBP project?

When designing your EBP project, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The type of study that you will conduct. There are many different types of studies that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. Some common types of studies include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and case studies.
• The data that you will collect. The data that you collect will depend on the type of study that you are conducting and the outcome that you are interested in measuring. For example, if you are conducting an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention in reducing pain, you might collect data on patient pain scores and medication use.
• The methods that you will use to analyze the data. Once you have collected your data, you will need to analyze it to determine whether the intervention was effective. There are many different statistical methods that can be used to analyze data.

How should I implement an EBP project?

Once you have designed your EBP project, you can start to implement it. This involves collecting data from the participants in your study.

It is important to obtain informed consent from all participants before collecting any data. You should also ensure that your study is conducted in an ethical manner.

How should I evaluate an EBP project?

Once you have collected your data, you need to analyze it to determine whether the intervention was effective. This involves using statistical methods to compare the outcomes of the intervention group to the outcomes of the control group.

If the intervention group had better outcomes than the control group, then the intervention can be considered to be effective.

How should I write the discussion section of my EBP paper?

In the discussion section of your EBP paper, you should discuss the findings of your study and their implications for nursing practice and education. You should also discuss the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.

How should I write the conclusion of my EBP paper?

In the conclusion of your EBP paper, you should summarize the key points of the paper and reiterate your findings. You should also discuss the implications of your findings for nursing practice and education.

Where can I find resources for writing an EBP paper?

There are many resources available to help you write an EBP paper. Here are a few:

• Your school’s library: Your school’s library will have a variety of resources on writing EBP papers, including books, articles, and websites.
• Your instructor: Your instructor may be able to provide you with additional resources or guidance.
• Professional organizations: Many professional nursing organizations offer resources on writing EBP papers. For example, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has a website dedicated to nursing research, which includes resources on writing EBP papers.
• Online resources: There are many online resources available to help you write an EBP paper. For example, the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) has a website with resources on writing research papers, including EBP papers.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.