Nurses’ Research Capacity and Use of Evidence in Acute Care: Baseline Findings From a Partnership Study

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to report baseline findings from a research-focused academic-service partnership. BACKGROUND:Despite widespread efforts, the research-practice gap remains considerable. A research-focused academic-service partnership may offer a strategy for decreasing this gap. METHODS:With the use of a shared model and a descriptive correlational design, 75 acute care nurses were sampled from July to October 2013. RESULTS:Attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBP) were favorable, but knowledge of common research language was low and EBP confidence was reported as moderate. Evidence-based practice confidence had the strongest relationship to EBP use and was greatest in those who held professional certification and were more educated. CONCLUSION:Findings continue to demonstrate the need for new approaches to reduce the research-practice gap.