Evidence-Based Practice among Nurses in Saudi Arabia: An ARCC© Model-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Beliefs, Implementation, Culture, and Readiness

Background : Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for improving nursing care quality, patient outcomes, and cost efficiency; however, its implementation remains low across healthcare settings. The ARCC model is a multilevel framework illustrating how individual and organizational factors interact to impact EBP implementation. Evidence on ARCC model use in Saudi Arabian hospitals is limited. Aim: This study investigated the relationships among registered nurses' EBP knowledge, beliefs, implementation, organizational culture, and readiness across hospitals and primary care centers in the Makkah Region, guided by the ARCC Model. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study design was employed. A nonprobability convenience sampling technique was used. Structured, valid, and reliable questionnaires were administered to measure the study variables. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the study variables, whereas hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of EBP implementation. Results : A total of 883 nurses responded. The mean score for EBP knowledge was 51.14 (SD = 13.22). Nurses reported a mean belief score of 55.75 (SD = 10.92). The mean score for organizational culture and readiness was 83.41 (SD = 18.70). The mean score for EBP implementation was 29.87 (SD = 15.14). Statistically significant positive correlations were observed among EBP knowledge, implementation, and organizational culture and readiness (r = 0.228–0.544, all p < .001). EBP beliefs were not significantly correlated with EBP implementation (r = 0.017, p = .617). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor of nurses' EBP implementation was EBP knowledge (β = 0.247, p < .001), followed by organizational culture and readiness (β = 0.211, p < .001). Conclusion : The implementation of EBP among nurses is influenced by theinteractive relationship between individual knowledge and the organizational environment. Deficits in nurses' knowledge and limitations in organizational culture and readiness to implement EBP restrict the transformation of positive beliefs about EBP into daily practice. Our results support the use of the ARCC model as a comprehensive evidence-based framework to strengthen EBP knowledge, mentorship, leadership engagement, and hospital culture and infrastructure, enabling sustainable evidence integration across diverse healthcare settings. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.