Evidence-based nursing expert Roy Brown serves on key course redesign team
In 2018, faculty members from the School of Nursing proposed redesigning a critical course in the curriculum–Nursing 371, which focuses on evidence-based practice. This core course, a requirement for graduation with a B.S. in nursing, is taken by about 300 students each year.
Using evidence in clinical decision-making is a key aspect of
nursing practice that improves patient care and enhances patient safety. This makes it a key course in nursing education. Proper application of these concepts prepares nurses to work effectively in clinical settings. The intent of the redesign is to make the course more cost-efficient and also to ensure that evidence-based practice (EBP) is taught in a way that ensures nursing students acquire the skills needed to engage in EBP in the clinical setting from the first day they are a practicing nurse.
The Office of the Provost Link to supported the course redesign grant. Research and Education Librarian and Nursing Liaison Roy Brown, who has considerable experience in evidence-based nursing, was invited to serve on the redesign team.
Other members included Jo Robins, Ph.D., RN, ANP-BC, CHTP, AHN-C, an associate professor at the VCU School of Nursing,who is leading the multidisciplinary team receiving funding to redesign NURS 371: Evidence-Based Practice through the VCU Course Redesign Program, sponsored by the Office of the Provost. This new campus-wide initiative focuses on the redesign of large-enrollment, multi-section undergraduate courses using technology-supported active-learning strategies.
The team also includes Kyungeh An, Ph.D., RN, associate professor; Elizabeth Miles, eLearning developer; Terry Valiga, Ed.D., senior visiting professor; Beth Rodgers, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, chairperson of the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems; Craig Anderson, associate dean for business and administration; and a VCU online team member.
The intent of the redesign is to make the course more cost-efficient but also to ensure that evidence-based practice (EBP) is taught in a way that ensures nursing students acquire the skills needed to engage in EBP in the clinical setting as a new nurse. The redesigned course will be fully implemented by fall semester 2020.
“The addition of Roy Brown to our evidence-based practice course redesign is crucial given his expertise related to evidence-based practice knowledge and competency, Robins said. “His role as liaison for our group with VCU health will help ensure we can provide students with meaningful learning materials, activities and assessments that create a foundation for future evidence-based practice skills as students become clinicians.”
Librarian Brown’s role in the process is as an EBP content specialist. He has participated in the course as a guest lecturer for several years and sits on the undergraduate nursing curriculum committee.
“Roy’s participation demonstrates the value School of Nursing faculty place on his work pertaining to evidence-based practice and information literacy,” said Emily J. Hurst, head of the Research and Education Department at Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences. Members of her department frequently serve as content and information specialists in class and clinical setting as well as in consulting or advisory roles to committees and faculty attached to the five health science schools at VCU.
“I find it to be one of the most meaningful initiatives that I have been involved with during my time at VCU as it shows that my work to provide value-added services to those in the school are being recognized,” said Brown. “As part of the team, I am able to make a meaningful contribution to enhancing the educational experience of nursing students when it comes to evidence-based practice.”
More about Roy Brown and evidence-based Nursing
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