Examining Knowledge, Attitudes, And Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice Among Nursing Students: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Integrating evidence-based practice (EBP) into nursing professionals' everyday routines can enhance both the practice environment and patient outcomes. It was suggested that an effective implementation of EBP would be improved by organizational support and an EBP culture. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the self-perceived evidence-based practice competencies and organizational readiness for evidence-based practice adoption among nursing students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 183 undergraduate nursing students were selected from three governmental Saudi universities from June to August 2023. A self-reported, three-part online survey was utilized and included: demographic questionnaire, the Student Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (S-EBPQ), and Organizational Culture and Readiness for School-wide Integration of Evidence-based Practice (OCRSIEP-E). Participants were encouraged to share survey invitations with their peers in other nursing departments within the university, utilizing various social media platforms to maximize response rates. Findings: The findings revealed that a majority of participants demonstrated satisfactory EBP knowledge (54.6%) and maintained positive attitudes toward EBP (64.5%). However, notable deficiencies were identified, with a percentage of students reporting inadequate knowledge (13.7%), skills (19.7-23%), and harboring negative attitudes (35.5%). Noteworthy trends emerged, indicating that female students and those actively engaged in research activities exhibited superior EBP knowledge and skills. Furthermore, nursing students exhibit varying levels of agreement on organizational support for EBP, with mean scores of 3.49, 3.59, and 3.47 for culture-supporting EBP teaching, resource availability, and provision of EBP mentors, respectively. Conclusion: The findings reveal a reasonably positive EBP outlook among students but also some persisting gaps in knowledge, critical appraisal skills, and organizational support requiring addressable. While students generally have satisfactory foundations, targeted interventions are warranted to further strengthen competencies and actualize the strategic paradigm shift toward evidence-based nursing.