Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation among the Nursing Bridge Program Students of a Saudi University.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to measure the evidence-based practice (EBP) beliefs and implementation among Saudi nursing students enrolled in the bridge program. It also sought to identify the factors that influence EBP beliefs and implementation.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 188 nursing bridge program students at a university in Saudi Arabia was surveyed in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The EBP Beliefs Scale (EBP-B) and the EBP Implementation Scale (EBPI) were employed to collect data regarding the respondents' beliefs and implementation of EBP, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
All of the items in the EBP beliefs scale received good endorsement rate (60.6 - 89.4%). A very low overall mean score of 22.57 was reported by the respondents in the implementation of EBP. The EBP beliefs of the respondents was primarily influenced by awareness on EBP (β = 0.26, p <0.001), followed by gender (β = -0.20, p<0.001), age (β = 0.17, p<0.05), and attendance at EBP trainings/seminars (β = 0.16, p<0.05). Attendance to EBP training and seminars (β = 0.19, p<0.01), gender (β = 0.18, p<0.05) and awareness on EBP (β = 0.15, p<0.05) were identified as factors that influence EBP implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the positive responses on the belief scale, the implementation of EBP by the respondents is very poor. Education and training courses should be initiated to increase the implementation of EBP among the nursing bridge program students.
Lecturer, Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, PO Box 1678, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Jonas Preposi
JP
Cruz
Lecturer, Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, PO Box 1678, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Paolo C
PC
Colet
Lecturer, Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, PO Box 1678, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Nahed
N
Alquwez
Lecturer, Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, PO Box 1678, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Hikmet
H
Alqubeilat
Lecturer, Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, PO Box 1678, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Meshrif Ahmad
MA
Bashtawi
Lecturer, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
Eyad Ali
EA
Ahmed
Assistant Lecturer, Medical Laboratory Science Department, University of Wyoming at Casper, Casper, 82601 Wyoming, United States of America.
Charlie P
CP
Cruz
EBP beliefs; EBP implementation; Evidence-based nursing practice; Nursing bridge program students; Saudi Arabia