Comparison of Nurses' Self-Reported and Objectively Measured Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Quality

Background:

• Assessing the evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge of registered nurses (RNs) in Magnet®-designated hospitals.
• First-time objective evaluation of EBP knowledge in this specific nursing population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively assess the evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge of registered nurses (RNs).
• To compare objective EBP knowledge with self-reported EBP knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practice.

Main Methods:

• Multisite, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design.
• Utilized the Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Assessment in Nursing (EKAN) for objective measurement.
• Employed the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) for self-reported measures.

Main Results:

• Positive self-ratings on EBP knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practice via EBPQ.
• No significant correlation found between objective EKAN scores and self-reported EBPQ scores.
• Higher nursing education levels correlated with higher objective EKAN scores.

Conclusions:

• Objective EBP knowledge did not correlate with nurses' self-reported EBP knowledge, skills, attitudes, or practice.
• Recommends objective measurement for evaluating interventions to advance EBP.
• Highlights the importance of higher nursing education for objective EBP knowledge.