Intensive care unit nurses who receive specialty certification place greater value on using evidence-based practices, according to a study published in the American Journal of Critical Care.
Researchers conducted an email survey among nurses at 12 adult ICUs within six hospitals in a single, integrated health system. They received 280 responses, of which 180 had a bachelor of science degree or higher, and 71 had additional critical care certification.
Nurses with the specialty certification reported greater knowledge of spontaneous breathing trials and lung-protective ventilation compared to non-certified nurses.
Certified nurses also reported a greater perceived value in specific practices, such as daily interruption of sedation and lung-protective ventilation, than noncertified nurses.
Education level was not linked to a greater knowledge of or perceived value in evidence-based practices.