Friday, November 18, 2011

Tips for Getting Published in the Nursing Literature

The editorial team at Research in Nursing and Health (RINAH) have created these helpful videos with tips on writing for publication & getting an article published.

Part I - Getting Started
http://youtu.be/E3_uExz8m9g

Part II - How to Succeed in Publication
http://youtu.be/-Iahw0QD8-w

Part III - Submission Process for a Research Journal
http://youtu.be/E3_uExz8m9g

Also, check out their free Virtual Issue - Helpful Editorial Hints for Getting Published.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Danielle's Picks from the Literature - November 2011



Here are my picks from the nursing literature over the past few months. SJO and CHOC employees have access to the full text of many of these articles through the Burlew Medical Library.

1. What is a randomised controlled trial?
Nelson, Andrea;
Evidence Based Nursing, 2011 Oct; 14 (4): 97-8

2. Evidence-Based Nursing. 10 ways to practice evidence-based staffing and scheduling.
Reese, Susan M.;
Nursing Management, 2011 Oct; 42 (10): 20-4

3. Implementing evidence-based practice: real-life success stories.
Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 2011 3rd Quarter; 37 (3). (2p)

4. Searching for Evidence Regarding Using Preoperative Disinfection Showers to Prevent Surgical Site Infections: A Systematic Review.
Jakobsson, Jenny; Perlkvist, Agnetha; Wann-Hansson, Christine;
Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 2011 3rd Quarter; 8 (3): 143-52
Abstract: Background: Postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) are the third most common health care associated infection. Even though several studies have pointed out the benefits of disinfection showers prior to surgery in order to reduce SSI, it remains unclear how to optimize this disinfection procedure. Aim: To find evidence for how many times preoperative disinfection showers should be performed in order to reduce bacterial colonies and minimize the risk of SSI. Method: A comprehensive literature search of multiple databases published during 1986S2008, supplemented by a manual search of the references in all relevant articles. Protocols were used in quality assessment and the data synthesis is descriptive in a narrative form. Results: The 10 studies included had different designs, interventions, and samples, which makes it difficult to compare them. Moreover, the quality of the reviewed studies varied and only four had a high level of evidence. Therefore, the results failed to give an unambiguous answer about the optimal number of preoperative showers, so only assumptions can be made. It is quite obvious, however, that preoperative disinfection showers with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) are effective from a microbiological point of view since eight of the reviewed studies showed a sharply reduced skin flora after using CHG. Conclusions: Currently, clear evidence for how many times preoperative disinfection showers should be performed to minimize the risk of SSI is missing. This highlights the need for further research that focuses on the number of preoperative disinfection showers in relation to SSI, in order to obtain optimal effect. Until then, it would be wise to follow previouslymade recommendation of three to five preoperative showers. Moreover, in order to have the intended effect of preoperative disinfection, it is important that health care professionals have the knowledge to guide patients with information and clear instructions about disinfection shower procedures.

5. Teaching and Learning about the Impact of Evidence-Based Practice Implementation.
Wilkinson, Joyce E.; Kent, Bridie; Hutchinson, Alison; Harrison, Margaret B.; Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 2011 3rd Quarter; 8 (3): 187-88

6. Factors affecting evidence translation for general practice nurses.
Mills, Jane; Field, John; Cant, Robyn;
International Journal of Nursing Practice, 2011 Oct; 17 (5): 455-63
Abstract: Mills J, Field J, Cant R. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 455-463 Factors affecting evidence translation for general practice nurses This paper explores the domains of influence affecting practice nurses' ability to find, evaluate and use clinical evidence. A cross-sectional survey of general practice nurses ( n = 590) in Victoria, Australia in 2008 provided data for a principal components analysis. The research replicates a study undertaken in the UK using the Developing Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire. Five domains of influence on nurses' translation of evidence were identified: skills in finding/reviewing evidence; barriers to finding/reviewing evidence; knowledge from published sources; knowledge from other sources; and barriers or facilitators to change. Each domain was interpreted as underlying the relationship of nurses with evidence-based practice and was comparable to the original study's findings when subjected to factor analysis. Findings from this study show that the Developing Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire-Au is a valid and useful instrument in determining the influences on practice nurses' ability to effect knowledge translation and conduct practice based on evidence. Given these findings, a new model is proposed that explains the influence of a number of domains on Australian general practice nurses' translation of knowledge into practice.

7. Creating a Unit-Based Resource Nurse Program.
Quinn-O'Neil, Beth; Kilgallen, Mary Ellen; Terlizzi, Janice A.;
American Journal of Nursing, 2011 Sep; 111 (9): 46-51

8. Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap.
Tart, Rebecca Creech; Kautz, Donald D.; Rudisill, Kimberly D.; Beard, Edward L.; Nurse Educator, 2011 Sep-Oct; 36 (5): 219-23

9. The experience of critiquing published research: Learning from the student and researcher perspective.
Knowles, Judie M; Gray, Morag A;
Nurse Education in Practice, 2011 Nov; 11 (6): 390-4
Abstract: This paper commences with affirmation of the importance of research critique within academic programmes of study, and the context of this skill within the nursing profession. Judie (student) shares an experience from a Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) assignment that involved selecting and critiquing a piece of published research. "The qualities of an effective mentor" (Gray and Smith, 2000) was critiqued using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP, 2006) framework. Morag was the researcher and co-author (Gray and Smith, 2000) and was subsequently contacted by Judie for the purposes of validating her critique assignment. On the tenth anniversary since publication of her PhD research findings Morag reflects on the original article in the light of Judie's critique and shares evaluative comments. Some of the assignment critique is validated by Morag, whilst some of the evaluation demonstrates unreliability of critique shown by Judie. Discussion surrounding sufficiency of research critique through systematic examination of a published article, versus an original research report such as a thesis ensues. The student and researcher/author reveal their learning from this collaborative experience and conclude with recommendations for; setting critique assignments; authors publishing their research findings; and students undertaking critique assignments.

10. Translating Caring Theory Into Practice.
Tonges, Mary; Ray, Joel;
Journal of Nursing Administration, 2011 Sep; 41 (9): 374-81

11. Measuring Caring--The Next Frontier In Understanding Workforce Performance and Patient Outcomes.
Nelson, John W.;
Nursing Economic$, 2011 Jul-Aug; 29 (4): 215-9