1. Introduction and 1 concisely written thesis statement (1 point).

2. Describe your chosen role as an APN in your setting. (1 point).

3. Differentiate among: research, Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and quality improvement. (3 points).

4. Explain how and why EBP, research and Quality Improvement (QI) are important to your APN role and specifically how these terms are integrated/applied into your practice setting. (3 points).

5 a. Provide a specific example of how EBP or QI is applied (or not applied) in your setting. (2 points). You should include how the information is disseminated to your specific area of practice (i.e. nurses, multidisciplinary team members, doctors, etc.). Be sure to consider committees in charge of reviewing policies to make the changes and distribute the new information, the role of administration, educators, CNSs, etc. in the dissemination process. For example: if I am interested in reducing CAUTIs in my particular setting, than I would discuss that topic area here and take a look at my facility and determine whether they are using EBP (and if so is it current and the best EBP) to make clinical decisions on treatment, protocols or policies.

b. Then I would describe how I know this to be true? Does the facility have a committee to evaluate policies? Is the staff involved, or is this a function of the CNL, Nurse Educator, CNS, NPs, physicians, etc. How does EBP or a QI project get from just a thought/plan to actual implementation in the hospital? (2 Points)

6. Summarize findings of the discussion. (1 point) 7. References: you should include a minimum of 2 references in the initial post. The post should be no more than 750 words.