Integrating EBP and Clinical Inquiry Into Daily Oncology Nursing

For many clinicians, evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) can feel like additional burdens on top of an already demanding workload. However, according to Laura Cullen, DNP, RN, FAAN, these processes should be viewed as fundamental, seamless components of the nursing profession.

In a recent interview with Oncology Nursing News, Cullen, an EBP Scientist at University of Iowa Health Care, argued that the goal for modern healthcare organizations is to make clinical inquiry a standard expectation. "We want evidence-based practice to be what we do every day, just part of our daily work," Cullen stated.

She noted that while EBP, QI, and original research utilize different methodologies, they all serve the same objective: addressing practice questions to improve patient outcomes.

The Role of Implementation Leadership

A significant portion of Cullen’s work focuses on the "how" of change. She pointed to a well-developed body of implementation leadership literature that highlights the pivotal role of nurse managers and middle managers. Systematic reviews in this field suggest that these leaders are essential in facilitating specific strategies that support front-line staff in adopting new practices.

By focusing on leadership at the unit level, organizations can foster a more resilient culture of inquiry. However, Cullen emphasized that individual leadership must be supported by a broader systems perspective. To optimize institutional infrastructure, she advocates for a governance structure where EBP is an "integral functional responsibility" of nursing committees. This ensures that when practice questions arise at the bedside, there is a clear, expert-led path to move those questions toward clinical solutions.

Previewing the Roswell Park Symposium

Cullen is scheduled to deliver the upcoming keynote address at the Evidence-Based Practice Symposium hosted by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Scheduled for Oct. 9, 2026, at the Hohn Auditorium in Buffalo, New York, the event is designed to provide a platform for nurses at all levels to showcase their own QI projects, innovations, and original research.

The symposium aims to directly foster the culture of inquiry Cullen describes. Organizers are currently seeking abstract submissions, with a deadline of Aug. 5. Selected participants will have the opportunity to present their findings via oral presentations or during a 25-poster session.

A Legacy of Clinical Excellence

Cullen brings a wealth of experience to the symposium. As a primary author of The Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care, her work has been instrumental in transforming organizational infrastructures to support sustainable clinical excellence. Her efforts have been linked to improved patient safety, reduced hospital lengths of stay, and increased clinician satisfaction.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Cullen’s participation in the Roswell Park event underscores the importance of bridging the gap between academic implementation science and the daily realities of the oncology bedside.