Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation among the Nursing Bridge Program Students of a Saudi University

Objectives: 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 (beta = 0.26, p < 0.001), followed by gender (beta = -0.20, p<0.001), age (beta = 0.17, p<0.05), and attendance at EBP trainings/seminars (beta = 0.16, p<0.05). Attendance to EBP training and seminars (beta = 0.19, p<0.01), gender (beta = 0.18, p<0.05) and awareness on EBP (beta = 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.