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The call to evidence-based practice (EBP) is evolving and empowers nurses to form innovative learning partnerships with colleagues to nourish wisdom, strengthen critical thinking, integrate research knowledge, and celebrate contributions in leading best practice. Based on clinician interest, Advancing Evidence-Based Practice: A Program Series was designed for nurses to showcase initiatives using Mercy Nursing's EBP Model. Mentoring guides their efforts. This opportunity creates learning partnerships that encourage participants to reflect about their practice and network with colleagues about what is important for clinical excellence. It also nurtures professional growth in research development and formal presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a 6-month period under the leadership of a clinical nurse specialist, a Midwestern tertiary care hospital explored the need for standardizing a hospital-wide intravenous infusion system, based on best practice. The Center for Advanced Nursing Practice's Evidence-Based Practice Model guided the process for successful design, implementation, and reporting of results. The new system contributed to positive outcomes identified in project goals: (1) to minimize patient risk from interruption of intravenous lines; (2) to increase clinician satisfaction by improved user safety and system standardization; and (3) to demonstrate responsible organizational financial stewardship. Ultimately, the standardized hospital-wide intravenous initiative empowered bedside clinicians by providing an infrastructure for best practice.

The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a safe and less costly option to centrally inserted, tunneled, or implanted central vascular access devices. Support for PICC services and reports of results vary among organizations. A comprehensive PICC Program, guided by the Center for Advanced Nursing Practice's Evidence-Based Practice Model, was designed and implemented with successful outcomes. Key program components include administrative, education, clinical practice, and data monitoring to enhance best practice.

The Center for Advanced Nursing Practice Evidence-Based Practice Model was developed for nurses engaged in clinical practice. It is a practice model, unifying various disciplines for best practice across settings in the care continuum. Each phase of the model's development is described in the manner in which it was used to guide a group of clinical nurse specialists. Clinical applications, ranging from systems- and organization-wide to unit- and population-specific initiatives are presented as selected articles following in this issue to support the efficacy of the model. Conceptually, the model engenders the heart of the practice and has made a difference in shaping the way clinicians think and the way they practice, individually and collectively. In turn, it has promoted the scholarship of practice in the care continuum across treatment settings.

Replication of a guided imagery study, based on the work of D. Tusek and colleagues, was initiated for coronary artery bypass graft patients, using the Center for Advanced Nursing Practice's Evidence-Based Practice Model. Through the leadership of clinical nurse specialists and the support of perioperative and postoperative bedside clinicians, this initiative offered benefits to patients and served as a template for program expansion to other patient populations.