The Australian experience of nurses' preparedness for evidence-based practice.
Objective: This study aimed to determine current knowledge and attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBP) among pre- and post-registration nurses in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Background: Educational and clinical strategies for EBP in nursing assume a readiness to interpret and integrate evidence into clinical care despite continued reports of low levels of understanding and skill in this area.
Methods: Perceptions of EBP were examined through a self-complete, anonymous postal survey distributed to 677 (post-registration) clinical nurses and to 1134 final year (pre-registration) nursing students during 2002 and 2003.
Results: A completed survey was returned by 126 post-registration and 257 final year nursing students (combined 21% response rate). Both pre- and post-registration nurses had a welcoming attitude towards EBP. Pre-registration nurses expressed more confidence in their EBP skills but self-rated knowledge and skill were low to moderate in both groups.
Conclusions: Nurses in Australia are clearly supportive of EBP but it is incorrect to assume that even recent graduates have a level of knowledge and skill that is sufficient to permit direct engagement in evidence implementation. Conclusions: Among a range of clinical supports, nurse managers and leaders can contribute to evidence-based health care by understanding the EBP knowledge and skills of their workforce and demanding a more practical approach in nursing education towards evidence-based guidelines and summaries appropriate to the clinical context.