Evidence-Based Practice Versus Evidence-Informed Practice in Nursing: Pearls, Practice & Policy

The authors sought to clarify the difference between evidence-based versus evidence-informed practice by providing historical descriptions and practical applications for Advanced Practice Nurses from the literature.

For this review, the database PubMed was searched using the following terms: evidence-based practice, evidence-informed practice, and nursing. Evidence within five years was preferred; however, owing to limitations in the available literature, articles were considered if they had been published post-2000.

Twenty-one articles were retrieved using these search terms. The authors present the articles beginning with a historical perspective and a contrast with current practice.

This article describes the difference between evidence-based practice, a scientific methodology of applying evidence to practice, and evidence-informed practice, using evidence and clinical judgment in making care decisions, with historical context and relevant examples. This important distinction must be understood by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to not only advance patient outcomes but to distinguish Advanced Practice Registered Nurses as having expertise in these elements, as implementation science (practice, education, and dissemination) is a core feature of advanced nursing preparation.