Critical Appraisal of Evidence: Synthesis and Recommendations.

This is the fifth article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). It builds on AJN's award-winning previous series-Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to https://links.

Critical Appraisal of Evidence for DNP-Prepared Nurses.

This is the fourth article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). It builds on AJN's award-winning previous series-Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to https://links.

Charting a Path From the Graduate QSEN Competencies to the New Essentials.

Background: Graduate nursing programs were encouraged to map their curriculum to the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) graduate knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) competency statements.

Purpose: Evaluation of the alignment between the 2009 QSEN graduate KSA competency statements and the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials advanced-level (Level 2) subcompetencies is needed to support curricular transition to competency-based education and the Essentials.

Methods: A team of 5 nursing education experts engaged in multiple rounds of review to seek consensus in determining alignment between the 2009 QSEN graduate KSA competency statements and the 2021 AACN advanced-level subcompetencies.

Removing Persistent Barriers to Systematic Searching.

This is the third article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). It builds on AJN's award-winning previous series-Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to http://links.

Clinical Inquiry and Problem Identification.

This is the second article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making. It builds on AJN's award-winning previous series-Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to http://links.

National evaluation of DNP students' use of the PICOT method for formulating clinical questions.

Background: The intent of the PICOT (i.e., Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time) method is to formulate focused clinical questions to facilitate the discovery of relevant evidence through systematic searching, with the components of the question serving as the foundation for the search.

Cultivating an Evidence-Based Decision-Making Mindset.

This is the first article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making. It builds on AJN's award-winning previous series-Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to http://links.

National evaluation of DNP projects based on 2015 AACN white paper and 2019 DNP project roadmap.

The AACN expectation to prepare DNP graduates with EBP and QI competencies using the project was clarified with the 2015 White Paper and these expectations have not changed with the new Essentials. Evidence suggests DNP projects continue to be a mix of research and QI. Using the DNP Project Roadmap, we reviewed 214 projects from 120 schools from publicly available sources for the presence of EBP and QI project elements.

Original Research: Exploring Frontline Nurses' Self-Perceived Levels of QI Engagement and QI Competence.

Background And Purpose: Nurse engagement in quality improvement (QI) is critical in the delivery of safe high-quality care, yet few studies have evaluated frontline nurses in this area. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare levels of self-reported QI engagement and QI competence among frontline nurses and nurse leaders.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design.

Evolution of Visiting the Intensive Care Unit.

This article gives a historical perspective of visitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) since the establishment of critical care units. Initially, visitors were not allowed because it was thought to be harmful to the patient. Despite the evidence, ICUs with open visitation have consistently been in the minority and the COVID-19 pandemic halted progress in this area.

Implementation of Just Culture Policy in Nursing Programs to Support Quality Safety Competency.

Background: Despite the shift to a just culture (JC) in health care systems more than a decade ago, many nursing programs continue to lack a JC environment, which may result in students entering the workforce without adequate preparation. This study evaluated prelicensure nursing students' perceptions of JC at baseline and 4 months after policy implementation.

Method: The JC Assessment Tool for Nursing Education (JCAT-NE) was used to measure nursing students' perceptions of JC.

From Open to Closed: COVID-19 Restrictions on Previously Unrestricted Visitation Policies in Adult Intensive Care Units.

Background: In March 2020, rising numbers of COVID-19 infections contributed to changes in intensive care unit visitation policies, with some facilities allowing no visitors.

Objective: To compare visitation policies of Magnet and Pathway to Excellence hospitals with prepandemic open visitation in adult intensive care units.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from January through March 2021.

Quality improvement engagement: Barriers and facilitators.

A comparison of frontline nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse leaders.

A qualitative study on barriers and facilitators of quality improvement engagement by frontline nurses and leaders.

Aim: This study aimed to understand the facilitators and barriers of quality improvement (QI) from the perspective of nurses and leaders at the frontline.

Background: Nurse engagement in QI has been associated with quality care and improved patient outcomes, yet nurse reported participation is low.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative design and purposive sampling was used to examine barriers and facilitators of nurse engagement.

Navigating the Path to a Sustainable "PACU Pause" and Standardized Perioperative Handoff: A Quality Improvement Project.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a pause and standardized perioperative handoff to improve the quality of the handoff and the satisfaction of the perioperative team in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) setting.

Design: The Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice guided this evidence-based practice-quality improvement project.

Methods: A team was formed of key nurses and other perioperative members to execute the project.

Quality improvement engagement and competence: A comparison between frontline nurses and nurse leaders.

Background: Nurses play a pivotal role in improving patient care. To maximize nurses' impact on quality, nurses must have quality improvement (QI) competence and engage fully in QI initiatives.

Purpose: To describe QI competence (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) among frontline nurses and leaders; and compare variations in competence among nursing roles, experience, and specialty areas.

An Integrative Review of the Barriers and Facilitators to Nurse Engagement in Quality Improvement in the Clinical Practice Setting.

Background: Nurse engagement in quality improvement (QI) improves health care quality and outcomes but is typically low in clinical settings.

Purpose: An integrative review was conducted to identify facilitators and barriers of nurse engagement in QI.

Methods: This integrative review was conducted using an electronic search of databases with search terms specific to nursing engagement in QI.

Implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign one-hour bundle in a short stay unit: A quality improvement project.

Objective: To improve timely sepsis care by implementing the 2018 Surviving Sepsis Campaign one-hour interventions.

Design: Ten-month prospective quality improvement project.

Setting: A 38-bed short stay unit within an 800-bed hospital in New York City.

Implementation and sustainment strategies for open visitation in the intensive care unit: A multicentre qualitative study.

Objective: Open visitation in adult intensive care units has been associated with improved family and patient outcomes. However, worldwide adoption of this practice has been slow and reasons for this are unclear. This study documents barriers and strategies for implementing and sustaining open visitation in adult intensive care units in the United States experienced by nursing leadership.

Is Open Visitation Really "Open" in Adult Intensive Care Units in the United States?

Background: Evidence indicates that open visitation in adult intensive care units is a best practice for patient- and family-centered care, and nurses substantially influence such visitation patterns. However, it is unclear whether intensive care units in Magnet and Pathway to Excellence (MPE) facilities nationwide implement this in practice.

Objective: To describe current national visitation practices in adult intensive care units and determine whether they have changed since the last national study, which used data from 2008 to 2009.

Development of the Nursing Quality Improvement in Practice Tool: Advancing Frontline Nursing Practice.

Background: Frontline nurse engagement in quality improvement (QI) improves nurse-sensitive outcomes; yet research suggests frontline nurses are not engaging in QI.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop, refine, and psychometrically evaluate the Nursing Quality Improvement in Practice (N-QuIP) tool to measure nurses' competency, engagement, and barriers/facilitators to QI engagement.

Methods: Item development was guided by an expert panel and literature review.