Assessment of Self-efficacy and Outcome Expectations in Evidence-based Activities for Nurses in a Newly Opened Hospital

Abstract

Background: There may be a lack of self-efficacy or confidence in some nurses in the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) especially in a new hospital with nurses who are early in their careers. The aim of this study was to measure self-efficacy and outcomes expectations of nurses in the area of EBP in a new non-replacement hospital on the Magnet® designation journey. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional survey using a 28-item questionnaire measuring the total level of self-efficacy in undertaking the 5 steps of EBP of direct patient care nurses. Results: 66 surveys were returned with 6(9%) men and 60(91%) women. Years of experience and certification showed no significant differences in confidence. For all but one subscale, the median level of confidence increased as the education level increased. For total self-efficacy (p=.021) and the subscales of problem identification (p=.044), finding evidence (p=0.17), appraising evidence (p=.042), applying evidence (p=.034), and outcome expectation (p=.039) those with higher education had higher self-efficacy. Similarly, those with either research training, EBP training or literature review training all had higher self-efficacy scores than those without training. Some subscales had lower median scores than others, indicating that, nurses in general were less confident in their EBP capacities. Discussion: As expected, all subscales showed significantly higher median confidence in the groups with EBP training, literature search training, and computer training compared to the groups without training. Consideration, as part of an orientation to a practice setting, should be made to training and education about EBP.

Keywords

• evidence-based practice
• clinical nurses
• self-efficacy