Carolyn Spring

Get full access to this article View all available purchase options and get full access to this article. References Booth A. Clear and present questions: formulating questions for evidence-based practice. Library Hi Tech. 2006; 24(3):355–368. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. CASP critical appraisal checklists. 2026. https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/ (accessed 1 April 2026) The Health Foundation. Evaluation: What to consider. 2015.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) underpins safe, effective and person-centred nursing. For many nurses, nursing associates and students, the challenge is not recognising its importance but applying it in busy clinical settings. This article outlines 10 tips designed to make EBP accessible, achievable and grounded in everyday care. The tips include how to ask focused questions, find and appraise evidence, and balance this with patient preferences, clinical expertise and local context.

My battle with anxiety Anxiety sucks. In many seasons of my life, anxiety has completely dominated and even overwhelmed me. Anxiety has woken me on a morning, jumped all over my chest, and implored me to hide beneath the duvet. In the grip of anxiety, it’s hard to imagine your stomach ever being still, your muscles ever being relaxed, or your mind ever being calm. I’ve had major bouts of anxiety when I’ve been assailed night and day with post-traumatic symptoms, leading to breakdown.