What is needed for nurses to work with evidence-based practice? A qualitative study

Transformation of healthcare is necessary to ensure patients receive high-quality care. Working with the evidence-based practice (EBP) principles enables nurses to make this shift. Although working according to these principles is becoming more common, nurses base their actions too much on traditions and intuition. Therefore, to promote EBP in nursing practice and improve related education, more insight into nurses' needs is necessary to overcome existing EBP barriers.

To identify the current needs to work with EBP principles among hospital and community care nurses and student nurses.

A qualitative, exploratory approach with focus group discussions.

Data was collected between February and December 2020 through 5 focus group discussions with 25 nurses and student nurses from a hospital, a community care organisation, and nursing education schools (bachelor and vocational). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, and the main themes were synchronised to the seven domains from the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases (TICD) checklist.

Nurses and student nurses experience EBP as complex and require more EBP knowledge and reliable, ready-to-use evidence. They wanted to be facilitated in access to evidence, the opportunity to share insights with colleagues and more time to work on EBP. The fulfilment of these needs serves to enhance motivation to engage with evidence-based practice (EBP), facilitate personal development, and empower nurses and student nurses to take more leadership in working according to EBP principles and improve healthcare delivery.

Nurses experience difficulties applying EBP principles and need support with their implementation. Nurses' and student nurses' needs include obtaining more EBP knowledge and access to tailored and ready-to-use information. They also indicated the need for role models, autonomy, incentives, dedicated time, and incorporation of EBP in daily work practice.