Implicit rationing of nursing care reported by nurses from different types of hospitals and hospital units.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate differences in assessing implicit rationing of nursing care by Czech nurses with respect to the type of unit and type of hospital. BACKGROUND: Implicit rationing of nursing care may differ across different types of hospitals and hospital units. DESIGN: This study used a multicentre cross-sectional study design. METHODS: The STROBE checklist for observational cross-sectional studies was followed for reporting of the research study. The sample included 8209 nurses providing direct care to medical and surgical patients in 14 acute care Czech hospitals. The main outcome was implicit rationing of nursing care as measured with a Czech version of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA) instrument. Data were collected from September 2019 to October 2020. RESULTS: The most frequently rationed nursing care activity was timely response to patient or family request/need, followed by emotional or psychological support and adequate supervision of delegated tasks. More implicitly rationed nursing care was reported in medical units. Statistical differences were found in rating 25 items and the PIRNCA total score. Nurses from middle-sized hospitals reported implicitly rationed care more frequently than those from large hospitals. CONCLUSION: More rationed care was reported by nurses from medical units and nurses from middle-sized hospitals. Organisational variables (the type of unit and type of hospital) influence the implicit rationing of nursing care in our study. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings call for nursing managers to pay attention to organisational variables which may affect the implicit rationing of nursing care.

A successful nursing education promotes newly graduated nurses' job satisfaction one year after graduation: a cross-sectional multi-country study.

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is a key factor for the successful transition of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) and for retaining NGNs in their workplaces. However, there is limited evidence of the relationship between satisfaction regarding the nursing education program and NGNs' job satisfaction in the first year after graduation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association of the nursing education related factors and NGNs' job satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design with the utilization of data collected from the same respondents one year earlier as educational factors was applied. The data were collected from NGNs (n = 557) in 10 European countries using an electronic survey between February 2019 and September 2020, and analyzed in detail for four countries (n = 417). Job satisfaction was measured with three questions: satisfaction with current job, quality of care in the workplace, and nursing profession. Nursing education related factors were satisfaction with nursing education program, level of study achievements, nursing as the 1st study choice, intention to stay in nursing, and generic nursing competence. The data were analyzed statistically using logistic regression. RESULTS: Most of the NGNs in the 10 countries were satisfied with their current job (88.3%), the quality of care (86.4%) and nursing profession (83.8%). Finnish, German, Lithuanian and Spanish NGNs' satisfaction with the nursing education program at graduation was statistically significantly associated with their job satisfaction, i.e., satisfaction with their current job, the quality of care, and the nursing profession. Moreover, NGNs who had fairly often or very often intention to stay in nursing at graduation were more satisfied with their current job, with the quality of care, and with the nursing profession compared with NGNs who had never or fairly seldom intention to stay in nursing at graduation. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing education plays a significant role in NGNs' job satisfaction one year after graduation, indicating the importance to start career planning already during nursing education. Both nursing education providers and healthcare organizations could plan in close collaboration a transition program for NGNs to ease the transition phase and thus increase the NGNs' job satisfaction and ultimately the high-quality care of the patients.

Psychometric properties of the Czech version of the brief Older People Quality of Life questionnaire (OPQoL-brief).

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the established interventions used for older adults, it is appropriate to use validated questionnaires for quality-of-life assessment. For older people, it is suitable to use specific questionnaires designed for old age and aging, with a lower number of questions. The aim of this research was to verify the psychometric properties of the Czech version of the OPQoL-brief questionnaire for seniors living in home environment in a community so that it can be used within the Czech Republic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on older adults in the Moravian-Silesian Region living at home. The study included 954 senior citizens (≥ 65 years, cognitively intact) (without diagnosed dementia, able to sign an informed consent). To test the psychometric properties of the created questionnaire, we tested the validity (construct validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity) and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability). RESULTS: The single-factor model of the OPQoL-brief scale (CFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.061, SRMR = 0.034, GFI = 0.960) was confirmed, for which excellent reliability was found (α = 0.921, ICC = 0.904). An inter-item correlation exceeding 0.5 was found for all items. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the overall score of OPQoL-brief and the scales measuring depression (r = - 0.520; p < 0.001), anxiety (r = - 0.355; p < 0.001), sense of coherence (r = 0.427; p < 0.001), and self-esteem (r = 0.428; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our research revealed that the shorter Czech version of the OPQoL-brief questionnaire has appropriate reliability and validity and can be recommended for both health and social services to assess the quality of life of senior citizens in a community.

Hospital and unit variables of missed nursing care in acute care hospitals: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate hospital, unit and staff variables as the correlates of missed nursing care (MNC) in Czech hospitals. BACKGROUND: There is a considerable variability in patterns of MNC across different hospital, unit and staff characteristics. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies were followed for reporting of the research study. METHODS: A sample of 513 nurses working in nine acute care hospitals was recruited. MNC activities were measured with the MISSCARE Survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Type of unit was confirmed as a significant predictor of MNC. Staff characteristics (nurses' work position, level of education and perceived adequacy of unit staff) and hospital variables did not contribute significantly to MNC. CONCLUSIONS: The study replicated the patterns of MNC across different conceptual approaches. MNC was influenced by work environment characteristics rather than individual staff variables. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this research showed that missed nursing care is influenced by work environment characteristics rather than individual staff variables.

The globalization of missed nursing care terminology.

AIM: To determine if there are cross-national differences in nurse understandings of the terms: missed care, rationed care and care left undone. BACKGROUND: Nurse researchers from a number of countries have published studies on missed and rationed care. It is not clear if there are differences in understanding the key terms across various language groups. DESIGN: A mixed method questionnaire was distributed to 26 member countries of a nursing research consortium in 2017. METHODS: Forty-five responses to a qualitative questionnaire were received; 80% were nurse researchers. These responses were categorized into language groups and analysed for congruence and differences. FINDINGS: There was congruence across all language groups in interpreting the three terms. Giddens' theory of globalization provides an explanation for this congruence. CONCLUSION: Shared understandings are explained by the fact that the majority of participants are nurse researchers with knowledge of English and the research literature. Shared understanding within the globalized academic community does not necessarily translate for clinical or nurse managers, nor does it predetermine solutions.

Clinical learning environment and graduating nursing students' competence: A multi-country cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students' perceptions of their final clinical learning environment and its association with their self-assessed competence, satisfaction with nursing education, and turnover intentions at graduation in six European countries. A multi-country comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with nursing students (n = 1746) from the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain using the Nurse Competence Scale and the Clinical Learning Environment and Supervision scale. Nursing students' overall perceptions of their final clinical learning environment and supervision were positive in all the countries studied. The correlation between the students' perceptions of their final clinical learning environment and competence was statistically significant and positive. Satisfaction with the nursing program and clinical practicum and no consideration of career change were related to positive perceptions of the final clinical learning environment. Highlighting the importance of the supervisory relationship and pedagogical atmosphere, nursing students' positive perceptions of the final clinical learning environment and supervision contribute to a better level of self-assessed competence and satisfaction with the nursing program and clinical practicum, leading to lower turnover intentions.

Core Evidence-Based Practice Competencies and Learning Outcomes for European Nurses: Consensus Statements.

BACKGROUND: Consensus on evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies and associated learning outcomes for registered nurses has not yet been achieved in the European context. AIMS: To establish a set of core EBP competencies for nurses and the most important EBP learning outcomes encompassing attitudes, knowledge, and skills dimensions for implementation into nursing education in European countries. METHODS: A multi-phase modified Delphi survey was conducted: Phase 1, a literature review; Phase 2, a two-round consensus of experts; and Phase 3, a Delphi survey. Experts from six European countries participated. RESULTS: In Phase 1, 88 records were selected and 835 statements extracted, which were grouped according to the seven steps of EBP. After removing 157 duplicates, the remaining competencies (n = 678) were evaluated in Phase 2. Then, a two-round expert consensus was reached, with 24 competencies and 120 learning outcomes identified and divided into affective, cognitive, and skills domains. In Phase 3, based on a Delphi survey expert consensus, all evaluated statements were included in a final set of competencies and learning outcomes. Only two learning outcomes were recommended for allocation to a different domain, and four were reformulated as suggested, with no further changes to the others. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: The set of EBP competencies and learning outcomes can guide nurse educators, managers, and EBP stakeholders in the development of content that incorporates EBP knowledge, skills, and attitudes into educational programs. Prioritizing the EBP competencies and learning outcomes that are most necessary and adapting them to every context will provide healthcare organizations with guidelines for enhancing the continuing education of nurses. These results could facilitate the development of effective tools for assessing nursing students' and nurses' perception of competencies required for EBP processes.

Unfinished nursing care in four central European countries.

AIM: The main aim of the research was to describe and compare unfinished nursing care in selected European countries. BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of unfinished nursing care reported in recently published studies, as well as its connection to negative effects on nurse and patient outcomes, has made unfinished care an important phenomenon and a quality indicator for nursing activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken. Unfinished nursing care was measured using the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care questionnaire (PIRNCA). The sample included 1,353 nurses from four European countries (Croatia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia). RESULTS: The percentage of nurses leaving one or more nursing activities unfinished ranged from 95.2% (Slovakia) to 97.8% (Czech Republic). Mean item scores on the 31 items of the PIRNCA in the total sample ranged from 1.13 to 1.92. Unfinished care was significantly associated with the type of hospital and quality of care. CONCLUSION: The research results confirmed the prevalence of unfinished nursing care in the countries surveyed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The results are a useful tool for enabling nurse managers to look deeper into nurse staffing and other organizational issues that may influence patient safety and quality of care.

Nurses' perception of implicit nursing care rationing in Croatia-A cross-sectional multicentre study.

AIM: To examine Croatian nurses' perception of implicit nursing care rationing and the patient safety culture from the perspective of acute care hospital staff. BACKGROUND: In the past three decades, the Croatian health system has undergone numerous transformations driven by geopolitical, legal, financial, demographic, scientific and technological progress. These changes have led to systemic changes in the structure, organisation, financing and delivery of health care, and thus, of nursing care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 438 nurses was conducted at four university hospitals in Croatia, based on the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Questionnaire. RESULTS: A lower assessment of the quality of care in the unit is associated with a higher score on the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Questionnaire, r = -.379, p < .001. A lower satisfaction with the current workplace is associated with a higher score on the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care Questionnaire, r = -.432, p < .001. CONCLUSION: The perception of nurses in Croatia indicates that the implications of nursing care rationing and dissatisfaction with their post in acute care hospital units are closely related to poor quality of nursing care provided to patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Based on these results, nurse managers should take their nurses' perceptions of implicit nursing care rationing into consideration in order to develop strategies to improve nursing care delivery, nursing satisfaction and, consequently, better nursing care quality.

Rationed nursing care as one of the indicators of the occurrence of medication errors.

AIM: The aim was to analyze selected studies on rationed nursing care as one of the indicators that influence the occurrence of medication errors. METHODS: A descriptive review study. Articles and studies were searched in the following selected electronic databases: EBSCO (Academic Search Ultimate, Academic Search Complete), CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE Complete, ScienceDirect and Central & Eastern European Academic Source. The search for relevant sources was based on the following English keywords: unfinished care, omitted care, rationing care, missed care, nursing care, medication errors. RESULTS: Total of 86 contributions found. After duplicit and irrelevant publications were the analysis comprised 8 primary studies and 2 systematic reviews. The studies were concerned with rationed or otherwise defined non-standard nursing care not merely related to medication errors. Each study described selected activities most frequently omitted by nurses with respect to medication: assessment of drug efficacy, medication errors, administration of incorrect drugs or doses, wrong time of administration, high-risk drug protocols and adhering to rules with each administration. The most frequently reported factor influencing the occurrence of missed care was understaffing and the related number of patients per nurse, resulting in a lack of time for selected patient activities. CONCLUSION: Despite difference in methods, all studies consistently claimed that rationed, unfinished, missed or omitted nursing care has or may have a negative impact on both patients and nurses. Some of the recommendations were increasing the number of nurses, improving team collaboration and work organization including setting systemic and preventive measures.

Understanding the concept of missed nursing care from a cross-cultural perspective.

AIMS: To investigate how nursing experts and experts from other health professions understand the concept of rationing/missed/unfinished nursing care and how this is compared at a cross-cultural level. DESIGN: The mixed methods descriptive study. METHODS: The semi-structured questionnaires were sent to the sample of 45 scholars and practitioners from 26 countries. Data were collected from November 2017-February 2018. RESULTS: Assigning average cultural values to participants from each country revealed three cultural groups: high individualism-high masculinity, high individualism-low masculinity and low individualism-medium masculinity. Content analysis of the findings revealed three main themes, which were identified across cultural clusters: (a) projecting blame for the phenomenon: Blaming the nurse versus blaming the system; (b) intentionality versus unintentionality; and (c) focus on nurses in comparison to focus on patients. CONCLUSION: Consistent differences in the understanding of missed nursing care can be understood in line with the nation's standing on two main cultural values: individualism and masculinity. IMPACT: The findings call for scholars' caution in interpreting missed nursing care from different cultures, or in comparing levels and types of missed nursing tasks across nations. The findings further indicated that mimicking interventions to limit missed nursing care from one cultural context to the other might be ineffective. Interventions to mitigate the phenomenon should be implemented thoughtfully, considering the cultural aspects.

Violence against nurses working in the health sector in five European countries-pilot study.

AIM: To provide initial data regarding country-specific evidence of workplace violence towards nurses working within the health sector in five European countries. METHODS: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional pilot study, conducted in June 2016. The sample consisted of 260 nurses working in selected health care settings in five participating countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Spain). The questionnaire used was adapted from the International Labour Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organisation/Public Services International Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study-Questionnaire. RESULTS: A large number of participants confirmed that they had been physically attacked or verbally abused in the workplace in the last 12 months. In most cases, the physical and verbal abuse was inflicted by patients and to a lesser degree by relatives of patients, staff members, or managers/supervisors. In the majority of cases, no action was taken to investigate the causes of the incidents. In most cases, participants believed there was no point in reporting the incidents. However, the reasons for not reporting or discussing incidents of workplace violence varied depending on the country. CONCLUSION: Workplace violence towards nurses is a serious problem internationally, and violence prevention strategies need to be implemented.

Applying honey dressings to non-healing wounds in elderly persons receiving home care.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the clinical effectiveness of honey dressings in the management of non-healing wounds in elderly persons receiving home care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Design: a prospective interventional study. The sample comprised 40 Czech home care clients (aged over 65 years) with non-healing wounds who were randomly assigned to two groups. Wounds were treated with honey (intervention group) or conventional (controls) dressings. Each wound was studied for three months. A detailed description of a wound (location, size, wound bed, edges, amount of exudate, odor, adjacent skin) were recorded. Wounds were assessed with the Wound Healing Continuum and pain intensity with the Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: Over the 3-month period, 16 (80%) individuals in the intervention group had their wounds completely healed, as compared with only six (30%) controls. There was no statistically significant difference in wound size between the groups on Day 1 (p = 0.1801). Ninety days later, the difference in wound size between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0041). There was a statistically significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups (p = 0.0007), with higher pain scores being indicated by controls. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that the application of honey dressings to non-healing wounds resulted in faster healing, wound size reduction and lower pain intensity.

[The review of questionnaires and scales evaluating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. / Prehled dotazníku a skál hodnotících pacienty s amyotrofickou laterární sklerózou.

In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is advisable to provide multidisciplinary care, due to rapid progression and specific disease symptoms, in order to maintain the best quality of life for the patient and their family. Abroad, questionnaires and scales are used to assess the patient´s health condition, to determine disease progression, followed by the provision of personalized care. The aim of this review article is to describe and analyze the scales used in evaluating ALS patients in both functional and psychosocial areas. Having searched in electronic databases, 14 scales for patients with ALS or motor neuron disease were found, and 4 scales for patients with chronic diseases, which are appropriate and used also in patients with ALS. The ALSFRS scale (The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale) is most often used for assessment of functional status. All areas of care are best covered in the ALSSQOL-R (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Specific Quality of life) questionnaire, designed for assessment of quality of life. The use of both scales is recommended in clinical practice and research.

Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcer in Visegrad countries.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the Visegrad countries. BACKGROUND: The diabetics with foot ulcers are principally evaluated on the basis of physical parameters, but this does not always reveal much about the patient's experience of life with ulceration. DESIGN: The cross-sectional study. METHODS: The standardised generic questionnaire World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF was used. The sample was made up of 525 participants and the calculations were performed using the IBM spss statistical program. RESULTS: The significant negative correlations between demographic data such as age, duration of diabetes mellitus, duration of diabetic ulceration treatment and a lower level of quality of life were found across the sample. The statistically significant differences according to clinical characteristics such as Wagner classification, frequency of foot ulcers, present peripheral vascular disease and pain in terms of quality of life were also revealed. Significant differences of quality of life among Visegrad countries were revealed: Hungary's participants had a worse quality of life than others, while Slovak participants expressed lower satisfaction with their health than Czech. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic factors and clinical characteristics influence the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Significant differences between patients of Visegrad countries were found in all domains of quality of life: physical, psychological, social and environmental. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcer reflects the conditions and healthcare system in each of the Visegrad countries. We have to respect socio-demographic factors and clinical characteristics in nursing care. This could have an impact on managing patient care not only with regard to their diabetic foot ulcer but also with regard to the patient as a personality with their own problems in relation to physical, psychosocial and environmental conditions.

Predictive validity of the Braden Scale, Norton Scale, and Waterlow Scale in the Czech Republic.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictive validity of the Braden, Norton, and Waterlow scales in 2 long-term care departments in the Czech Republic. Assessing the risk for developing pressure ulcers is the first step in their prevention. At present, many scales are used in clinical practice, but most of them have not been properly validated yet (for example, the Modified Norton Scale in the Czech Republic). In the Czech Republic, only the Braden Scale has been validated so far. This is a prospective comparative instrument testing study. A random sample of 123 patients was recruited. The predictive validity of the pressure ulcer risk assessment scales was evaluated based on sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The data were collected from April to August 2014. In the present study, the best predictive validity values were observed for the Norton Scale, followed by the Braden Scale and the Waterlow Scale, in that order. We recommended that the above 3 pressure ulcer risk assessment scales continue to be evaluated in the Czech clinical setting.

Validity and Reliability of the Czech Version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the Czech version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected from July 2012 to January 2013. For reliability and validity testing, two instruments measuring preoperative anxiety were administered to the participants on the same occasion, (APAIS and the Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)). The sample consisted of 344 patients undergoing elective surgery. FINDINGS: Reliability of APAIS anxiety subscale measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. Reliability of APAIS information subscale measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.78. The APAIS anxiety subscale correlated significantly with the STAI-S (0.69). Women scored significantly higher on anxiety scales than men. CONCLUSIONS: APAIS may be a useful tool to measure preoperative anxiety in Czech patients undergoing elective surgery.

Development and psychometric evaluation of patient needs assessment in palliative care (PNAP) instrument.

OBJECTIVE: Although assessment of palliative patients' needs is a key issue in palliative care, a suitable instrument for identification of such needs is not available in Central European countries. Our objectives were to produce an adequate tool for identifying the importance and satisfaction of palliative patients' needs and to verify its psychometric properties. METHOD: The patient needs assessment in palliative care (PNAP) instrument was constructed based on a literature review and qualitative research (focus groups, n = 5). The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were verified by a cross-sectional study. The convergent validity of the questionnaire was determined by confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were also tested. The qualitative research group comprised 30 participants (27 experts in palliative care, 1 patient, and 2 family members). Psychometric properties were evaluated in a group of 349 hospital inpatients terminally ill with chronic disease or cancer and receiving palliative care. RESULTS: Based on the qualitative data analysis, a questionnaire was constructed that contained 42 items grouped into 5 domains. When testing the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, a new model containing 40 items in 7 domains was produced. Cronbach's α for the entire PNAP questionnaire was 0.89 on the importance scale and 0.80 on the satisfaction scale. Test-retest reliability was higher than 0.7 for all domains in both scales. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The results of tests on the psychometric properties of the PNAP questionnaire showed at least satisfactory validity and reliability, and it can be employed to assess the needs of palliative care patients in Central European countries.

Psychometric Properties of the Slovak and Czech Versions of the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation Scales.

BACKGROUND: The Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs (EBP-B) and Evidence-Based Practice Implementation (EBP-I) scales are psychometrically sound instruments that were used, within an educational setting, to systematically study students' beliefs about and their implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). Czech and Slovak versions of these instruments were developed and evaluated using a sample population of nursing students. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to test the psychometric properties of the Czech and Slovak versions of the EBP-B and EBP-I scales. METHODS: Psychometric properties were evaluated using a sample of undergraduate and graduate (nearly graduated) nursing students (n = 223) completing EBP courses. To test psychometric properties of the questionnaire, its reliability and validity were explored. Cronbach´s alpha was computed to evaluate internal structure and internal consistency. RESULTS: The Slovak versions of both the EBP-B and the EBP-I scale have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: .82 and .94, respectively). Similarly, the Czech versions of the EBP-B and the EBP-I scales both have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: .85 and .89, respectively). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: The results of psychometric analysis of the Czech and Slovak versions of the EBP-B and the EBP-I scales are consistent with the results of the original study and indicate that the Czech and Slovak versions have the potential to be valid, reliable, and sensitive instruments for measuring an individual's beliefs about the value of EBP and their ability to implement it. Both instruments can be used to assess changes in nurses´ beliefs about EBP over time as well as the effectiveness of strategies aimed at promoting the use of evidence in practice.

Faculty perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses for graduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Effective teaching is key in preparing students to become successful evidence-based healthcare professionals. The effectiveness of graduate evidence-based practice (EBP) pedagogy is not often a subject of research studies. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine how faculty from the 50 top graduate nursing schools in the United States perceived the effectiveness of EBP courses for graduate nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to explore faculty perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses. A web-based survey was used for data collection. A total of 45 questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses for the whole sample, on a scale from 1 to 7, was 5.58 (min. 4.29; max. 6.73), a higher score signifying higher perceived effectiveness. The highest rated item concerned a school's access to different databases. The strongest correlations were found between the total score and the scores for items describing students' opportunities to strengthen and apply their EBP skills (rs = .66). The internal consistency of the Perception of Effectiveness of EBP Courses scale, based on standardized Cronbach's alpha, was .84, which signifies strong internal consistency. Faculty perceived themselves as most competent at the following EBP skills: (a) "Asking questions regarding patients' care" (6.56), (b) "Considering patient preferences when implementing EBP" (6.40), and (c) "Critically appraising the relevant body of evidence to address clinical questions" (6.40). DISCUSSION: To strengthen the effectiveness of EBP courses, students should have more opportunities to implement their EBP knowledge and skills after completing EBP courses. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Evaluation of faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of EBP courses can help to guide the development of nursing school curricula that better integrate EBP. Further evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument used to measure perception of the effectiveness of EBP courses is required along with objective measures of faculty knowledge and skills in teaching EBP.