Unwavering collaboration, partnership and engagement. Memorial Sloan Kettering and The Helene Fuld Institute for EBP joined forces and navigated unchartered waters to build an EBP enterprise that is truly exceptional. Two amazing organizations ignited a spirit of inquiry that is palpable in every nurse at every bedside, chair-side and table-side across the care continuum. The momentum is unprecedented and has changed how we define nursing practice.

Many people assume that PhD prepared clinicians and faculty have a solid understanding of teaching and translating evidence-based practice. The EBP process involves a unique set of skills –it’s not research. I think those teaching EBP would find great benefit from attending the immersion. Attending the immersion and learning this skill set has helped me to effectively translate the research literature into evidence-based practice. The comprehensiveness of this one-week immersion is impressive. Using clear and concise tools and active learning, the Fuld Institute faculty teach every step of the EBP process, ensuring that participants leave with the confidence and skills to move from a searchable question, to searching and synthesizing the literature, to finding the evidence to support (or not), a practice change. When I attended my first CTEP immersion, I left saying “this was the best conference I have ever attended.” I have attended three immersions since, and each time I leave, I still say the same thing. The immersion solidified my role as an evidence based clinician and mentor.

I first met Bern Melnyk in 2012 when she came to Central Connecticut State University to do an 8-hour EBP workshop and I became an EBP devotee. I attended my first immersion in May 2017 because I wanted to be part of an effective movement that would advance evidence-based healthcare. As an EBP facilitator, I travel with the Fuld team to spread the EBP word. I am honored to be a part of a team that is changing the way we deliver healthcare in the US and the world.

Connecting to the Fuld Institute for EBP has been an opportunity to make a difference in teaching EBP to the next generation of undergraduate and graduate student nurses. As educators, we are challenged in providing meaningful instruction and motivate learners to be evidenced-based practitioners. At immersions, we learn from others in the academic and practice setting what is current practice and learn how others are implementing best practices. The ability to share with others from all over the country is invaluable. Bringing that sense of spirit and collaboration into my classroom is essential in challenging students to apply the EBP process in their own practice. Attending EBP immersions and being a facilitator has increased my knowledge and competencies with the EBP process. It is a privilege to assist others in learning the EBP process and teach the next generation of nurses to be evidence-based practitioners who will provide evidenced-based safe and quality care.