Methods: With that in mind, a team of researchers conducted a cross sectional descriptive study to measure EBP competence of practicing registered nurses and advanced practice nurses throughout the United States (U.S.) in 2017. Data collected included: (a) demographic questions; and (b) EBP knowledge, EBP beliefs, implementation of EBP, perceived organizational culture and readiness for EBP, mentorship in EBP, and the EBP competencies. Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations, multiple regression modeling, and path analysis were conducted on data collected from more than 2300 participants from a wide range of healthcare organizations across the U.S.
Results: The results of this study indicated that this large sample of nurses from across the U.S. did not believe they were competent in EBP in any of the 24 EBP competencies. The study revealed several particularly unique and interesting findings related to age, educational preparation, as well as Magnet status of organizations where the nurses were employed. Important, strong correlations between various EBP attributes (knowledge, beliefs, competence, mentoring) were identified in this study. In addition, demographic characteristics of both individual clinicians and work settings were strikingly correlated (or not) to EBP attributes such as; beliefs, competence, implementation, mentoring, and more. The regression analysis and path analysis reveal interesting and new relationships about EBP related to both individual clinicians and to organizations. The results paint an interesting and informative picture of the current state of EBP amongst nurses.
Conclusion: The new findings from this large study about registered nurses' and advanced practice nurses' EBP competency and other EBP attributes revealed several new and important findings that have critical implications to healthcare organizations seeking to improve care and outcomes. The critical, timely, and compelling case for an urgent call to action to improve EBP competence amongst nurses will be discussed.