Professional consciousness and pride facilitate evidence-based practice–the meaning of participating in a journal club based on clinical practice reflection

Aim

An evidence-based approach should permeate clinical nursing practice, but many nurses lack confidence in applying relevant research evidence to clinical practice. Journal club participation can increase evidence-based practice knowledge and skills while facilitating positive attitudes among participants. Thus, the aim was to describe the experience of nurses in participating in a journal club based on a curriculum derived from their practice narratives. 

Design

The study employed a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Qualitative data from six focus groups with 19 nurses were interpreted in a three-step process influenced by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur. 

Methods

Influenced by narrative pedagogy and critical reflection through problem-based learning, a journal club named Reflexivity was facilitated in three 2-hourly workshops over eight weeks and evaluated together with nurses across three clinical departments. 

Results

Three themes are identified: (a) professional reflections are an oppressed aspect of daily nursing; (b) revealing nursing from the hidden; and (c) emerging consciousness in nursing. The study concludes that Reflexivity has the potential to integrate evidence-based knowledge and increase professional consciousness by reflection on clinical questions in an evidence-based context. Fundamental issues of nursing care are raised, and feelings of essential pride in nursing are facilitated. Thus, evidence-based nursing practice is embarked through a journal club based on the participant's narratives.