Nursing research builds foundation to improve care

Two nursing researchers speaking at AONL 2023 said inquiry-based learning encourages questioning and exploration to improve care, but intense financial pressures may limit implementation. However, demonstrating the impact of these practices to hospital leadership — by showing how evidence-based practices can ultimately make a difference in patient outcomes and save costs — may make a successful case for time spent on fostering research and critical thinking, according to Lourie Moore, DNP, RN, associate administrator, nursing excellence, Harris Health System, Houston, and Deborah Eldredge, PhD, RN, administrative director of nursing quality at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of shared decision-making as a core principle to build and sustain a culture of inquiry. As nurses contribute to the scientific basis of a health system’s practice, they promote engagement across all levels of the organization.