Longitudinal Comparison of Hospital Nurses' Values, Knowledge, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospital-based educators use resource-intensive residency and continuing education programs to assist RNs in delivering evidence-based practice (EBP). Yet, little is known about whether such programs improve or sustain nurses' EBP values, knowledge, and implementation. METHOD: A two-group longitudinal posttest-only study was conducted using a convenience sample of 115 RNs; 51 participants received a comprehensive EBP continuing education intervention, and 64 participants received no intervention. RESULTS: Participation rates were 85% at 6 months and 65% at 12 months. Knowledge scores between the two groups were significantly different at 6 months and sustained at 12 months, although the intervention group comprised more master's-prepared nurses. EBP values and implementation scores did not differ between the two groups, and EBP values were not associated with EBP use. The only nurse characteristic demonstrating a statistically significant relationship with the outcomes was highest degree earned. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed with more robust study designs to determine how best to facilitate the use of EBP among hospital RNs. Support for RN advanced education and evidence-based continuing education strategies are recommended. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(5)209-214.].