Steps 1 and 2: Asking a Compelling Clinical Question and Searching for the Best Evidence.

A compelling clinical question using the PICOT format sets the stage for a successful search for relevant evidence. This column describes the PICOT format with examples for each component and uses a specific example to demonstrate, through a first-person librarian narrative, how to conduct a literature search for relevant evidence.

Evaluation of a Clinical Policy Learning Activity.

Background: Student groups compare evidence-based practice (EBP) to actual practice defined by hospital policies in their clinical rotation sites. This article describes a pilot study evaluating this clinical learning activity.

Method: Student and faculty surveys were developed and piloted.

Instilling the value of reading literature through student-led book discussion groups.

With the desire to instill the value of lifelong reading, nursing faculty and a librarian developed a student-led book discussion group as an innovative teaching strategy for a senior seminar course. Inclusion of the librarian was unique and influenced the shape and rigor of the assignment. In this assignment, students chose one of the faculty-selected books, researched its author(s), read relevant professional book reviews, and developed questions for their peer discussion groups.