Graduating Baccalaureate Students' Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge, Readiness, and Implementation

With evidence-based practice (EBP) as an expected core competency for all health care professionals and the integration of EBP competencies in nursing curricula, the process of translating EBP knowledge to EBP implementation behaviors among graduating baccalaureate nursing students was examined. A sample of 174 students in four states participated in this online survey. Results showed students scored low on their EBP knowledge test and engagement in EBP implementation behaviors. However, students were moderately confident in their EBP readiness. EBP readiness was a significant mediator between knowledge and engagement in implementation behaviors. Nursing education should focus on increasing students' self-confidence in their EBP competencies to support engagement in EBP implementation behaviors. A nursing workforce ready to deliver care using an evidence-based approach has the potential of improving patient outcomes.