Building evidence-based practice with staff nurses through mentoring

Evidence- based practice (EBP) is an effective way for nurses to improve patient outcomes. Although EBP has gained popularity, barriers to implementation exist. This study explored whether mentoring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses in EBP would increase their participation in EBP. A sample of 20 nurses were mentored in an EBP project. The EBP Beliefs Scale and EBP Implementation Scale measured scores upon initiation and completion of the project. Statistical analysis showed no significant changes in nurses' beliefs in EBP or implementation of EBP following mentoring. However, a moderate degree of correlation between changes in beliefs scores and implementation scores was seen with a borderline significance. Age and years of experience did significantly influence changes in EBP beliefs scores. Although the study results did not support that mentoring changed attitudes or utilization of EBP, changes in NICU were implemented as a result of the project activities.