Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is recognized as essential to improving patient outcomes. Despite advances in information dissemination, the gap between research and practice remains. Previous studies among nurses have identified obstacles including lack of time, research knowledge, organization factors, and communication of the research itself.

Methods: The Barriers Scale, a 28-item survey instrument, developed by Funk, Champagne, and Wiese (1991), was administered to a convenience sample of all registered nurses employed in the hospital. The survey has four scales: the nurse's research values, skills, and awareness; organizational factors; research attributes; and communicating the research.

Findings: A total of 263 nurses participated in this study. The three greatest barriers identified were insufficient time to implement (78%) and read (64%) research and lack of authority to change practice (64%). Descriptive statistics for the four subscales will be presented and discussed.

Translation Activity: The Research and Outcomes Council members held informal focus groups throughout the shared governance structure to explore the meaning of the data and to develop strategies to promote EBP. Numerous strategies emerged from the focus group discussions including: 1-page summaries of research, identification of available research resources, and collaboration with the School of Nursing. Engaging staff nurses in the research process was identified as paramount to successful integration of EBP. Strategies for staff nurse engagement will be presented.

Conclusion: Limited resources in health care today make application of pertinent findings critical. The identification of barriers to EBP provides leverage for nurses within organizations to reduce barriers and facilitate adoption of research into nursing practice.