A lack of allocated research time challenges the extent of the implementation of evidence-based practice - A three-year retrospective follow-up cohort study of Master of Science in Nursing graduates

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare the development of Master of Science in Nursing graduates’ research utilization and improvement of knowledge, one to three years after graduation, and to describe their beliefs, abilities and implementation regarding evidence-based practice in the workplace.

Methods: Sixty-five Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates, associated with an academic cohort, were invited to participate in a three-year retrospective follow-up study. Forty-five MSN graduates replied, providing a response rate of 69.23%. A questionnaire of four areas, consisting of the customary cohort questionnaire combined with the EBP Belief scale and the EBP Implementation scale, was sent to the participants using SurveyMonkey®.

Results: An overall increased development in MSN graduates’ research utilization and knowledge improvement in all parameters was found from one to three years after graduation, along with greater knowledge of, and a stronger belief in the value of, evidence-based practice. However, a strong decrease in allocated time for research was found, leading to a very limited implementation of evidence-based practice by the MSN graduates.

Conclusions: The study ends with a question about whether time is still an issue – even for academic nurses, who are educated and employed to implement evidence-based practice. If the barriers to nursing research are not taken seriously by nursing management then the extent of implementation of evidence-based practice and the improvement of quality in patient care and trajectories will continue to be very limited.