Nursing is an evolving discipline, both in theory and research, as well as in its professional practice (Fitzpatrick, & Whall, 2005).
Sigma Theta Tau International is an honor society for nurses. This specific honor society focuses on the professional development of nurses by supporting them in learning (Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2010). Sigma Theta Tau International has a vision to form nurses who demonstrates the skills necessary to advance the health of the world’s people. The honor society has several products and services available to assist in the professional development of nurses.These products and services are focused on six key areas that are important to developing research.
The key areas include education, leadership, career development, evidence-based nursing, research and scholarship (Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2010). One benefit of Sigma Theta Tau in regards to research and evidence based practice is that the honor society supports numerous education and research conferences one of which is a research meeting that presents the latest nursing research from around the world.Another benefit of the honor society is that it publishes numerous publications which support the professional development of nurses. A publication example is the World views on Evidence-Based Nursing.
This is a journal which is published quarterly and provides the most up to date research and evidence, all of which is applicable to the nursing profession. Another organization that benefits nursing research is The Joanna Briggs Institute.The Joanna Briggs Institute is an organization that is specializes in evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals in nursing (The Joanna Briggs Institute, 2008). The Joanna Briggs Institute focuses on the effectiveness, appropriateness and delivery methods of healthcare practices. One benefit of The Joanna Briggs Institute in relations to evidence based practice is that results of well designed research studies are grounded and must provide more credible evidence (The Joanna Briggs Institute, 2008).
