Original Article

The First U.S. Study on Nurses’ Evidence-Based Practice Competencies Indicates Major Deficits That Threaten Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Patient Outcomes

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk RN, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN,

Corresponding Author

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk RN, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN

[email protected]

Vice President for Health Promotion, University Chief Wellness Officer, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, College of Medicine, and Executive Director, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

Address correspondence to Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Lynn Gallagher-Ford RN, PhD, DPFNAP, NE-BC, FAAN,

Lynn Gallagher-Ford RN, PhD, DPFNAP, NE-BC, FAAN

Senior Director, Helene Ford Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

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Cindy Zellefrow RN, DNP, LSN, PHNA-BC,

Cindy Zellefrow RN, DNP, LSN, PHNA-BC

Assistant Professor of Practice and Director, Academic Core, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

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Sharon Tucker RN, PhD, FAAN,

Sharon Tucker RN, PhD, FAAN

Director, Implementation Science Core, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice, in Nursing and Healthcare, Columbus, OH, USA

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Bindu Thomas MEd, MS,

Bindu Thomas MEd, MS

Technology & Research Coordinator, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, Columbus, OH, USA

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Loraine T. Sinnott PhD,

Loraine T. Sinnott PhD

Statistician, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

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Alai Tan PhD,

Alai Tan PhD

Research Associate Professor, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

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Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk RN, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN,

Corresponding Author

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk RN, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN

[email protected]

Address correspondence to Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Lynn Gallagher-Ford RN, PhD, DPFNAP, NE-BC, FAAN,

Lynn Gallagher-Ford RN, PhD, DPFNAP, NE-BC, FAAN

Senior Director, Helene Ford Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Cindy Zellefrow RN, DNP, LSN, PHNA-BC,

Cindy Zellefrow RN, DNP, LSN, PHNA-BC

Search for more papers by this author

Sharon Tucker RN, PhD, FAAN,

Sharon Tucker RN, PhD, FAAN

Director, Implementation Science Core, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice, in Nursing and Healthcare, Columbus, OH, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Bindu Thomas MEd, MS,

Bindu Thomas MEd, MS

Technology & Research Coordinator, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, Columbus, OH, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Loraine T. Sinnott PhD,

Loraine T. Sinnott PhD

Statistician, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Alai Tan PhD,

Alai Tan PhD

Research Associate Professor, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 26 December 2017

https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12269

Citations: 246

Continuing Education: Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing is pleased to offer readers the opportunity to earn credit for its continuing education articles. Learn more here: www.nursingknowledge.org/journaleducation

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ABSTRACT

Background

Tremendous variability in EBP persists throughout the United States even though research supports that implementation of EBP leads to high-quality cost-effective care. Although the first set of EBP competencies for nurses was published in 2014, the state of EBP competency in U.S. nurses is currently unknown.

Aims

The purposes of this study were to: (a) describe the state of EBP competency in nurses across the United States; and (b) determine important factors associated with EBP competency.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted that gathered data from an anonymous online survey of practicing nurses throughout the U.S. Measures tapped EBP knowledge, beliefs, culture, mentorship, implementation, and reported competency for each of the 13 EBP competencies for practicing nurses and an additional 11 competencies for advanced practice nurses.

Results

A total of 2,344 nurses completed the survey from 19 hospitals or healthcare systems. Overall, the nurses reported that they were not yet competent in meeting any of the 24 EBP competencies. Younger nurses and those with higher levels of education reported higher EBP competency (p < .001). The EBP competency scores were not significantly different between nurses in Magnet and non-Magnet designated organizations (p = .28). There were strong positive associations between EBP competency with EBP beliefs (r = .66) and EBP mentorship (r = .69), a moderate positive association between EBP competency and EBP knowledge (r = .43), and a small positive association between EBP competency and culture (r = .29).

Linking Evidence to Action

There is a tremendous need to enhance nurses’ skills so that they achieve competency in EBP in order to ensure the highest quality of care and best population health outcomes. Academic programs should ensure competency in EBP in students by the time of graduation and healthcare systems should set it as an expectation and standard for all clinicians.

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Volume15, Issue1

February 2018

Pages 16-25

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The First U.S. Study on Nurses’ Evidence-Based Practice Competencies Indicates Major Deficits That Threaten Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Patient Outcomes

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The First U.S. Study on Nurses’ Evidence-Based Practice Competencies Indicates Major Deficits That Threaten Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Patient Outcomes

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