Predictors of knowledge, attitudes, use and future use of evidence-based practice among baccalaureate nursing students at two universities

Summary 

Nursing students are strategically positioned to influence adoption of evidence-based practice within the nursing profession. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of knowledge, attitudes, use and future use of evidence-based practice among baccalaureate nursing students at two universities.

A cross-sectional survey design was used to study a convenience sample of 436 nursing students (response rate of 63.3%) enrolled at two baccalaureate nursing programs at the beginning of 2007 fall semester in the United States. The surveys included demographic questionnaire and knowledge, attitudes and behaviors questionnaire for evidence-based practice.

EBP Knowledge, Attitudes toward EBP and Future Use of EBP subscales demonstrated statistically significant increase in mean scores with advancing academic levels. Confidence in clinical decision-making and clinical preparedness had moderate positive correlation with EBP Use and Future use of EBP. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses indicated that the clinical preparedness and confidence in clinical decision-making were statistically significant predictor variables for EBP use and Future use of EBP. Clinically well-prepared nursing students with high confidence in clinical decision-making are most likely to use evidence-based practice, both in the present and the future.

Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Baccalaureate nursing students, Clinical preparation, Clinical confidence