title: Nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice at Finnish university hospitals: a national survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice at Finnish university hospitals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although systematic implementation of evidence-based practice is essential to effectively improving patient outcomes and value of care, nurses do not consistently use evidence in practice. Uptake is hampered by lack of nurses' individual and organizational readiness for evidence-based practice. Although nurses' evidence-based practice competencies have been widely studied in countries leading the evidence-based practice movement, less is known about nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice in the non-English-speaking world.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive survey design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in November-December 2014 in every university hospital in Finland with a convenience sample (n = 943) of practicing nurses. The electronic survey data were collected using the Stevens' Evidence-Based Practice Readiness Inventory, which was translated into Finnish according to standardized guidelines for translation of research instruments. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses reported low to moderate levels of self-efficacy and low levels of evidence-based practice knowledge. A statistically significant, direct correlation was found between nurses' self-efficacy in employing evidence-based practice and their actual evidence-based practice knowledge level. Several statistically significant differences were found between nurses' socio-demographic variables and nurses' self-efficacy in employing evidence-based practice, and actual and perceived evidence-based practice knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Finnish nurses at university hospitals are not ready for evidence-based practice. Although nurses are familiar with the concept of evidence-based practice, they lack the evidence-based practice knowledge and self-efficacy in employing evidence-based practice required for integrating best evidence into clinical care delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannele
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Improvement Science Research Network, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vehviläinen-Julkunen
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005387:Finland; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: competency; evidence-based practice; hospital care; implementation; knowledge transformation; nurse; readiness; survey