Abstract

Objective: The aim of this project was to identify and describe nurses’ practices, attitudes, knowledge/skills, and identify gaps in educational materials’ delivery methods to build an evidence-based practice (EBP) fellowship program in an academic institution.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental with pre- and post-assessment conducted between September 2016 and February 2017. A survey utilizing 24-item questionnaire was used to measure EBP practices, attitudes, and knowledge/skills among a convenience sample of over 700 nurses working in a single academic institution. Responses were scored on a one to seven rating scale. Gaps in educational materials’ delivery methods were measured using 3 questions related to completion of online modules, barriers that prevented completion of modules, and preferred method of learning.

Results: A total of 189 nurses participated in the study (129 baseline; 60 follow up). Majority were female and worked in inpatient settings, with most holding a baccalaureate degree. Nurses reported the most positive scores in the attitudes subscale, followed by knowledge/skills and use of EBP. Across both time points, nurses expressed strong beliefs that EBP is fundamental to professional practice; however, their ability to critically appraise evidence and translate information needs into research questions remained lower scoring items. No statistically significant improvements were observed overall in practice or knowledge/skills between baseline and follow up. Only 53% of follow up respondents completed the online EBP modules, with common barriers including lack of awareness and insufficient time.

Conclusion: Nurses in this academic medical center reported positive attitudes toward EBP, but their knowledge and practical use of EBP remain inconsistent and limited by time constraints, insufficient resources, and gaps in critical appraisal skills. There is a need for structured educational support, improved access to EBP resources, and organizational strategies that reduce barriers and foster an EBP supportive culture. Implementation of a formal EBP fellowship program may strengthen nurses’ skills in EBP.

Author Details

Ilana I. Logvinov, DNP, RN

Sigma Membership

Lambda Rho at-Large

Lead Author Affiliation

Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quasi-Experimental Study, Other

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Evidence-Based Nursing, Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Practice, Clinical Competence, Mentoring, Fellowship, EBP

Advisor

Mary Vanderhoef

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Jacksonville University

Degree Year

2017

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2026-03-23

Full Text of Presentation

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