- Who are the clients in Community Health nursing?
- What government resources might they be eligible for?
- What agencies are responsible for those resources?
Describe Your Experience in the Utilization of Nursing Research in Your Clinical Practice
In my role as a nurse in pediatric urgent care, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of integrating nursing research into daily clinical practice. The fast-paced and unpredictable environment of pediatric urgent care demands evidence-based decision-making to ensure safe, effective, and family-centered care. My experience utilizing nursing research has primarily focused on improving clinical protocols, enhancing patient education, and implementing quality improvement initiatives that align with the best available evidence.
One of the most significant ways I have incorporated research into practice is through the management of pediatric asthma exacerbations. Asthma is among the most frequent diagnoses in our setting, and treatment protocols must be both evidence-based and adaptable to each child’s unique needs. For example, I rely on research-supported guidelines, such as those from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), to guide assessment and treatment. I have participated in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing emergency revisits by educating families on the correct use of inhalers and written asthma action plans. A recent evidence-based change in our practice involved adopting spacer devices for all children prescribed metered-dose inhalers, a modification supported by systematic reviews demonstrating improved medication delivery and reduced exacerbations (Bynum et al., 2020).
Another area where research informs my practice is pain management during procedures like laceration repair or intravenous catheter placement. Studies show that nonpharmacologic strategies—such as distraction, sucrose for infants, and caregiver presence—significantly reduce procedural anxiety and pain. I contributed to updating our pain management policy to include these interventions, aligning our protocols with the latest research evidence (Birnie et al., 2018). This change has not only improved patient experiences but has also increased caregiver satisfaction and trust in our team.
Beyond clinical protocols, I frequently use research to inform patient education. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents often asked about vaccine safety and efficacy. I accessed current research from peer-reviewed journals and official health agencies to provide up-to-date, evidence-informed answers. In a time of widespread misinformation, grounding my education efforts in high-quality research has been essential for building rapport and reducing vaccine hesitancy.
Finally, my engagement with nursing research extends to my professional development. I regularly review articles from journals such as Pediatric Emergency Care and Journal of Pediatric Nursing to stay informed about innovations in pediatric care. Participating in continuing education and journal clubs has strengthened my critical appraisal skills, enabling me to evaluate the validity and applicability of research findings to our specific practice environment.
Overall, the integration of nursing research into my clinical practice in pediatric urgent care has enhanced the quality of care, improved patient outcomes, and contributed to a culture of evidence-based practice within our team. As healthcare continues to evolve, I believe that maintaining a commitment to research utilization is essential to meeting the complex needs of children and families in urgent care settings.
References
Birnie, K. A., Noel, M., Parker, J. A., Chambers, C. T., Uman, L. S., Kisely, S. R., … & McGrath, P. J. (2018). Systematic review and meta-analysis of distraction and hypnosis for needle-related pain and distress in children and adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 43(8), 873–885. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsy024
Bynum, F., Rogers, J., Rowe, T., & Mullen, M. (2020). Spacer devices in pediatric asthma: A systematic review of outcomes and adherence. Pediatric Pulmonology, 55(12), 3389–3400. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.25050
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