Abstract
Purpose The "Digging for Dinosaurs" contest and educational sessions are a catalyst intended to engage nurses in questioning their practice in a non-threatening and fun manner. The "Digging for Dinosaurs" contest was conceived based on an article about "sacred cows" in nursing practice and generating interest in research-based practice Methods This project was led by the nursing research council and consisted of a contest held during Nurse Recognition Week 2008. A marketing poster and contest entry forms were created and distributed in multiple avenues. All participants had access to the Medical Center Library resources and classes on "Searching the Nursing Literature Effectively" were also held each day during Nurse Recognition Week. Completed forms were submitted prior to an EBP mini-conference and evaluated by the nursing research council. Participants could be recognized and rewarded for their submissions. Submission topics were discussed in the Nurse Recognition Week EBP sessions and mini conference. Outcomes Thirty-two submissions were generated from the contest. The response rate was 3.1 which can be explained through Diffusion of Innovation Theory (Rodgers, 1986) with those who participated representing the innovators. Nurses identified a number of practice concerns ranging from clinical topics to practice environment concerns. Staff nurses represented the majority of the participants, with clinical nurse educators, nursing managers, and performance improvement nurses also participating. Several of the submissions have developed into promotional projects for staff in the clinical ladder program. Conclusions The implications of the contest for practice and education are significant as the contest was an effective way to begin to engage nurses at all levels in questioning practice. The potential impact on practice is that the concerns identified have spurred an interest in questioning practice. Several action teams have been formed to begin to address practice concerns generated by the contest.
Sigma Membership
Zeta Mu at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
evidence-based practice, questioning clinical practice, Dinosaur Contest
Recommended Citation
Brown, Caroline E., "Digging for Dinosaurs' Contest: A Novel Strategy to Engage Nurses in Questioning Practice" (2012). INRC (Congress). 104.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2012/presentations_2012/104
Conference Name
23rd International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Brisbane, Australia
Conference Year
2012
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Digging for Dinosaurs' Contest: A Novel Strategy to Engage Nurses in Questioning Practice
Brisbane, Australia
Purpose The "Digging for Dinosaurs" contest and educational sessions are a catalyst intended to engage nurses in questioning their practice in a non-threatening and fun manner. The "Digging for Dinosaurs" contest was conceived based on an article about "sacred cows" in nursing practice and generating interest in research-based practice Methods This project was led by the nursing research council and consisted of a contest held during Nurse Recognition Week 2008. A marketing poster and contest entry forms were created and distributed in multiple avenues. All participants had access to the Medical Center Library resources and classes on "Searching the Nursing Literature Effectively" were also held each day during Nurse Recognition Week. Completed forms were submitted prior to an EBP mini-conference and evaluated by the nursing research council. Participants could be recognized and rewarded for their submissions. Submission topics were discussed in the Nurse Recognition Week EBP sessions and mini conference. Outcomes Thirty-two submissions were generated from the contest. The response rate was 3.1 which can be explained through Diffusion of Innovation Theory (Rodgers, 1986) with those who participated representing the innovators. Nurses identified a number of practice concerns ranging from clinical topics to practice environment concerns. Staff nurses represented the majority of the participants, with clinical nurse educators, nursing managers, and performance improvement nurses also participating. Several of the submissions have developed into promotional projects for staff in the clinical ladder program. Conclusions The implications of the contest for practice and education are significant as the contest was an effective way to begin to engage nurses at all levels in questioning practice. The potential impact on practice is that the concerns identified have spurred an interest in questioning practice. Several action teams have been formed to begin to address practice concerns generated by the contest.