Evidence-based nursing practice and its correlates among Korean nurses

AimThe aim of the study was to explore evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) in Korean and identify factors influencing its implementation.BackgroundEBNP is relatively new in Korea, and there is a lack of consistency about the factors that affect EBNP implementation.MethodsA descriptive correlational and cross-sectional design was employed and a convenience sample of 392 nurses were recruited from two general hospitals. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsThe overall model significantly explained 17.1% of variance in EBNP implementation. Among the predictors of EBNP implementation, regularly reading research articles, level of searching skills for literature, degree of understanding EBNP, professional autonomy, and EBNP beliefs had statistically significant influences on EBNP implementation.ConclusionFindings suggest the necessity for Korean nurses to regularly read research articles, develop greater skills in developing searching research documents, gain clearer understanding of EBNP, EBNP beliefs, and particularly, high level of professional autonomy.