AIM – This study aimed at describing both the role and the current activities of professional nurses' associations in the promotion of Evidence Based Practice (EBP).

METHODS – A descriptive study design was used. A total of 43 professional nurses' organizations in the Netherlands (e.g. Nurses in Circulation Disorders, Oncology Nurses Society, National Society for Community Nursing etc.) were screened for their current activities and role perspectives. Interviews with board members and an analysis of the organizations publications provided the input for this screening.

RESULTS – The professional nurses' organizations predominantly perceived their role in relation to EBP as that of distributors (n=41). To a lesser extent, the organizations believed they had role is selecting and summarizing relevant evidence for their members (n=13) and in generating (n=9) or implementing (n=9) evidence. The actual activities of the organizations showed that most organizations are still in a phase of first awareness and orientation. Most organizations for instance (n=33), do not have a policy for ongoing communication of evidence to the organization's members.

CONCLUSION – Professional nurses' organizations can play a key role in promoting evidence based practice. Yet, in the Netherlands these organizations seem at best partially prepared for such a role. A literature and internet search for activities in other countries (performed as part of this project), shows that this may well be the case in many parts of the world.