The Mountain Model for Evidence-Based Practice Quality Improvement
Earn Your EBPQI Certification
Master the competencies of evidence-based practice and quality improvement through the Mountain Model — a unified framework for sustainable practice change in healthcare. Designed for nursing professionals and healthcare teams.
The Framework
The Mountain Model for EBPQI
It takes 15 to 17 years to bring research into consistent daily practice. The Mountain Model merges evidence-based practice and quality improvement into a single, cohesive framework — overcoming the limitations of each approach used separately to deliver sustainable improvements to health and healthcare.
Evidence Searching & PPCO
Formulate searchable questions using the PPCO framework — a problem-first approach that clarifies context before identifying change strategies.
Critical Appraisal & Synthesis
Appraise quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods evidence, then synthesize findings with clinical expertise and patient preferences.
QI Methods & Data Analytics
Apply PDSA, Lean, and Six Sigma frameworks with process, outcome, and balancing measures guided by internal data.
Implementation & Sustainability
Use implementation science strategies to embed changes into practice and establish monitoring systems for long-term sustainability.
Developed By
Your Instructors
Julee Briscoe Waldrop
DNP, FNP-C, PNP-C, CNE, EBP-C, FAANP, FAAN
Professor Emerita, UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing. Consulting Associate, Duke University School of Nursing. Co-creator of the Mountain Model for EBPQI and lead author of two Cognella textbooks on EBP/QI in nursing.
Jayne Jennings Dunlap
DNP, FNP-C, CNE, EBP-C, FAANP
Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the DNP Program at Texas Woman's University. Co-creator of the Mountain Model and co-editor of the foundational and leadership EBPQI textbooks.
Staci S. Reynolds
PhD, RN, CNS, CPHQ, FAAN
Clinical Professor, Duke University School of Nursing. Expert in quality improvement methods, statistical processes, and EBPQI reporting guidelines.
Textbook (2025)
Leading Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Advanced Nursing Practice
Cognella — A Competency Based Approach
Textbook (2025)
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement for Professional Nursing Practice
Cognella — A Competency Based Approach
Guidebook (2025)
The Comprehensive DNP Project Guidebook
Cognella
How It Works
Register
Create your account and verify your professional eligibility
Learn
Complete 10 self-paced EBPQI learning modules based on the Mountain Model
Pay
Purchase access to the certification exam
Test
Take the EBPQI-C certification exam
Certificate
Receive your EBPQI-C certification credential
8 Competency Domains
The EBPQI-C exam assesses competencies across eight domains derived from the Mountain Model's foundational and leadership textbooks.
Ready to Get Started?
Join nursing professionals and healthcare teams advancing their EBPQI competencies through the Mountain Model.
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