Study: Medical-surgical nurse leaders’ evidence-based practice attributes

Editor's Note

This study led by nurse researchers from the Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, examines the capacity of medical-surgical nurse leaders to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) into their organizations.

Using a cross-sectional design survey methodology, the researchers found that:

• Senior nurse leaders reported higher EBP attributes compared with nurses in other roles
• Nurses with an MSN degree or higher reported greater frequency of EBP implementation.

Regression analysis showed that the following had significant, positive effects on EBP implementation:

• EBP competencies
• EBP beliefs
• Having a DNP degree
• Working in a unit that received an Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ (AMSN) Premier Recognition in the Specialty of Med-Surg (PRISM) award
• Working in an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence Program organization.

The researchers concluded that if medical-surgical nursing leaders fully integrated EBP into their organizations, it would be a substantial contribution to advancing EBP in healthcare.