Attitude, source of knowledge, and supporting factors on evidence-based nursing among cardiovascular nurses: A cross-sectional descriptive study in Turkey.

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular nursing has been a rapidly growing specialty since the 1960s. Assessing cardiovascular nurses' EBN (evidence-based nursing) attitudes and beliefs and the factors supporting EBN is important to assist the training programmes in fostering EBN practice in a clinical environment. Few investigations have been conducted on EBN knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and implementation among cardiovascular nurses. The present study aims to investigate cardiovascular nurses' attitudes towards EBN, sources of knowledge, and the factors supporting EBN in Turkey.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey with a descriptive and comparative design was conducted with 62 cardiovascular nurses working at two hospitals in Turkey. Data were collected by using the Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire, a sociodemographic questionnaire concerning demographic information and including questions about nurses' sources of knowledge, supporting factors to implement EBN, research experience, use of clinical guidelines, and barriers to applying EBN. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The research revealed that cardiovascular nurses have positive attitudes, feelings, beliefs, and intention of conduct towards EBN. Cardiac surgery nurses reported significantly higher positive feelings, beliefs, intention of conduct, and attitude towards EBN than cardiology nurses. Nursing experience and information acquired through nursing school were the most frequently used sources of knowledge rather than research results (35.5%) in their clinical practice. Half of the respondents (47%) were familiar with EBN. Cardiovascular nurses who had graduate degrees, reviewed nursing research and were familiar with EBN had significant positive attitudes towards EBN. Nurses needed enough time and resources, a background in clinical practice, and support from the hospital administration to implement EBN.

CONCLUSIONS

An education intervention should be provided about EBN knowledge and skills for cardiovascular nurses. Mentor nurses should be trained and assigned in cardiovascular clinics to implement EBN.