Icelandic nurses' beliefs, skills, and resources associated with evidence-based practice and related factors: a national survey.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential to the improvement of patient outcomes and the quality of care. Nurses' use of evidence in practice, however, remains limited. Assessing nurses' readiness for EBP where it is not as prominent as in countries leading EBP research was of particular interest. To determine Icelandic registered nurses' (RNs') ability to provide care based on evidence as measured by their beliefs, perception of skills, and access to resources associated with EBP. A descriptive survey was used in which a random sample of 540 Icelandic RNs completed the translated and modified version of the Information Literacy for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and the translated EBP Beliefs Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlations, chi-square tests, t tests and one-way ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Participants strongly believed in the value of EBP for patient care, but were less confident regarding their own knowledge and skills needed for EBP. Most (82%) of the respondents (i.e., RNs) turned to peers when in need of information, rather than peer-reviewed resources. Although over half of the RNs (54%) had received instructions in the use of electronic databases, only a third indicated success in using them. They considered "lack of search skills" as the primary barrier to use of research in practice. Using research findings in practice was associated with positive EBP beliefs, familiarity with EBP and other EBP-related activities. Clinical RNs were found to be at a disadvantage when it came to access to EBP-related resources and participated less frequently in EBP-related activities other than using research in practice. Icelandic RNs' beliefs regarding EBP are similar to those of RNs in other countries. Their access to EBP resources is generally good, but they lack the skills and knowledge needed for EBP. Strategies aimed at changing the organizational and practice context need to be developed.

Thorsteinsson HS 《-》

Readiness for and predictors of evidence-based practice of acute-care nurses: a cross-sectional postal survey.

Nurses' adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) remains limited although most nurses are familiar with EBP and belief in its value for patient care. Efforts to accelerate nurses' EBP activities have met with limited success. Knowledge of predictors of nurses' EBP activities is lacking. To describe nurses' readiness for EBP as measured by their information needs, skills in using electronic bibliographical databases (EBDs) and awareness of available EBP-needed resources; EBP beliefs and frequency of EBP activities, and identify predictors of EBP activities and beliefs. This was a cross-sectional survey, distributed to a homogeneous, consecutive sample of 546 acute-care nurses. Response rate was 64.3%; responses from direct-care nurses (n = 298) and administrators (n = 45) were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe readiness for EBP, frequency of certain EBP activities and EBP beliefs. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of EBP activities and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of EBP beliefs. The nurses generally seldom participated in the EBP activities studied, in spite of familiarity with and positive beliefs towards EBP. Evidence-based practice beliefs predicted all three activities studied. Skills in using EBDs predicted information-seeking and evaluating research. Awareness of available EBP-needed resources predicted information-seeking, role predicted evaluating research, while familiarity with EBP predicted using research in practice. Six predictors explained nearly 40% of the variance in EBP beliefs. Nurses' EBP activities must be facilitated and accelerated. The findings provide empirical support to the primacy of EBP beliefs in nurses' engagement in EBP and of the complexity of EBP. While the identified predictors of EBP activities and beliefs are susceptible to change, diverse strategies are needed to influence each one. Strategies should focus on influencing EBP beliefs, that is, by increasing skills in using EBDs, discussion about EBP in the clinical environment and familiarity with EBP.

Thorsteinsson HS ，Sveinsdóttir H 《-》

Determining registered nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice.

Thiel L ，Ghosh Y 《-》

Nurses' Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and the Role of Evidence-Based Practice Mentors at University Hospitals in Finland.

Although systematic implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential to effectively improve patient outcomes, quality, and value of care, nurses do not consistently use evidence in practice. Uptake is hampered by lack of nurses' readiness for EBP, including nurses' EBP beliefs and lack of EBP mentors. Favorable EBP beliefs are foundational to Registered Nurses' (RNs) use and integration of best evidence into clinical decision making, whereas EBP mentors are in a key role for strengthening RNs' beliefs in the value of EBP and confidence in their ability to implement EBP. Although nurses' EBP beliefs and role of BP mentors have been widely studied in countries leading the EBP movement, less is known about them in the non-English-speaking world. To determine RNs EBP beliefs and the role of EBP mentors at Finnish university hospitals and to explore the associations between RNs' EBP beliefs and sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in November-December 2014 at every university hospital in Finland with a convenience sample (n = 943) of practicing RNs. The data were collected via an electronic survey, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RNs reported low levels of EBP beliefs in the degree to which they believed that clinical nursing practice and their own practice were based on evidence. EBP mentors worked in many professional nursing roles. Several significant differences were found between RN's EBP beliefs and sociodemographic variables. Although RNs were familiar with and believed in the value of EBP in improving care quality and patient outcomes, their ratings were low about the degree to which they believed that clinical nursing practice and their own practice were based on evidence, indicating a modest level of individual EBP readiness among Finnish RNs required for integrating best evidence into clinical care delivery.

Saunders H ，Vehviläinen-Julkunen K 《-》

Empowering nurses with evidence-based practice environments: surveying Magnet®, Pathway to Excellence®, and non-magnet facilities in one healthcare system.

Nurses have an essential role in implementing evidence-based practices (EBP) that contribute to high-quality outcomes. It remains unknown how healthcare facilities can increase nurse engagement in EBP. To determine whether individual or organizational qualities could be identified that were related to registered nurses' (RNs') readiness for EBP as measured by their reported EBP barriers, ability, desire, and frequency of behaviors. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in which a convenience sample of 2,441 nurses within one United States healthcare system completed a modified version of the Information Literacy for Evidence-Based Nursing questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t tests, one-way ANOVA, and regression modeling were used to analyze the data. RNs employed by facilities designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence® reported significantly fewer barriers to EBP than those RNs employed by non designated facilities. RNs in Magnet organizations had higher desire for EBP than Pathway to Excellence or non designated facilities. RNs educated at the baccalaureate level or higher reported significantly fewer barriers to EBP than nurses with less education; they also had higher EBP ability, desire, and frequency of behaviors. A predictive model found higher EBP readiness scores among RNs who participated in research, had specialty certifications, and engaged in a clinical career development program. Education, research, and certification standards promoted by the Magnet program may provide a nursing workforce that is better prepared for EBP. Organizations should continue structural supports that increase professional development and research opportunities so nurses are empowered to practice at their full capacity.

Wilson M ，Sleutel M ，Newcomb P ，Behan D ，Walsh J ，Wells JN ，Baldwin KM ... -  《-》