Translational Research: Creating Excellent Evidence-Based Pediatric Nursing Practice

Abstract

Translating research into evidence-based practice and best clinical practices creates excellence in pediatric nursing practice. EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRIC nursing practice is created by translating research evidence into best clinical practices to improve the quality of pediatric nursing care for children and their families (Christian, 2011). Clinical nursing research involves systematic inquiry conducted to develop, refine, and expand nursing knowledge to guide nursing practice and improve health and quality of life of clients (Polit & Beck, 2012). This integration of research evidence with clinical expertise and decision making results in best clinical practices that improve the quality of care (DiCenso, Guyatt, & Ciliska, 2005; Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2005; Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, & Haynes, 2000). Best clinical practices identified from clinical experiences provide essential evidence that is tested through research and then translated into practice. In this way, translational research completes the process by creating evidence-based practice based on research evidence to ultimately improve the quality of pediatric nursing care. Translating research into evidence-based practice and best clinical practices may be accomplished through a variety of methods (Polit & Beck, 2012). For example, systematic reviews of the literature are foundational to the development of clinical practice guidelines and provide the basis for conclusions about existing evidence. Clinical pathways and clinical scenarios facilitate translation of research evidence into improved models of care (DiCenso et al., 2005). Research studies designed to test the effectiveness of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines provide a mechanism to evaluate outcomes and analyze the cost and benefits of implementing practices (Polit & Beck,