Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Evidence-Based Practice Among Nursing Staff

Abstract

How to Obtain Contact Hours by Reading this Issue Instructions: 1.2 contact hours will be awarded by Villanova University College of Nursing upon successful completion of this activity. A contact hour is a unit of measurement that denotes 60 minutes of an organized learning activity. This is a learner-based activity. Villanova University College of Nursing does not require submission of your answers to the quiz. A contact hour certificate will be awarded once you register, pay the registration fee, and complete the evaluation form online at https://villanova.gosignmeup.com . In order to obtain contact hours you must: 1. Read the article, “Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Evidence-Based Practice Among Nursing Staff,” found on pages 246–254, carefully noting any tables and other illustrative materials that are included to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the content. Be sure to keep track of the amount of time (number of minutes) you spend reading the article and completing the quiz. 2. Read and answer each question on the quiz. After completing all of the questions, compare your answers to those provided within this issue. If you have incorrect answers, return to the article for further study. 3. Go to the Villanova website to register for contact hour credit. You will be asked to provide your name, contact information, and a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card number for payment of the $20.00 fee. Once you complete the online evaluation, a certificate will be automatically generated. This activity is valid for continuing education credit until May 31, 2015. Contact Hours This activity is co-provided by Villanova University College of Nursing and SLACK Incorporated. Villanova University College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Objective Upon completion of this article, the learner will be able to describe the results of a cross-sectional descriptive research study designed to identify use, knowledge, and attitudes toward evidence-based practice among nurses in a large academic hospital. Disclosure Statement Neither the planners nor the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. Background: Little information is known about the use, knowledge, and attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBP) among nurses in a large academic hospital. This cross-sectional, descriptive study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and use of EBP by nurses at a large academic, Magnet ® -designated medical center. Methods: Data were collected from 593 nurses who completed the Clinical Effectiveness and Evidence Based Practice Questionnaire between November 2011 and March 2012. Statistical analyses included correlations and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Most nurses (96%) reported that they were aware that an EBP and Research Council existed. The average scores were highest on the Attitudes subscale, followed by the Knowledge/Skills and Practice subscales. Conclusion: Continuing education for nurses makes a difference in nurses’ attitudes, knowledge, and use of EBP in practice. Participation in EBP and research educational activities or Council meetings may affect EBP culture in a large academic medical center. J Contin Educ Nurs 2013;44(6):246–254.