Descriptive Analysis of Self‐Reported Factors and Evidence‐Based Nursing Practice Competence Among Clinical Nurses Working in Public Hospitals: A Cross‐Sectional Study

The evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) competence of clinical nurses is a prerequisite condition for applying EBNP in the clinic. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 234 clinical nurses recruited from seven tertiary hospitals between January and March 2024. Data were collected using reliable and validated scales and adapted questionnaires to access demographic information, EBNP competence, EBNP-related resource availability, information literacy, and evidence-based practice barriers. Descriptive and analytical statistics were applied to analyze the data. Multivariate regression analysis showed that resources for evidence synthesis, information literacy, English proficiency, EBNP experience, education degree, and career experience positively affected "evidence searching and critical appraisal" competence (t = 1.987 ~ 6.514, p < 0.05). Except for education degree, these factors also positively affected "evidence synthesis" competence (t = 2.453 ~ 5.166, p < 0.05). Resources for evidence dissemination and evidence implementation, information literacy, and EBNP experience positively affected "evidence dissemination" (t = 2.236 ~ 4.600, p < 0.05). Resources for evidence dissemination and evidence implementation, information literacy, and evidence-based practice barriers positively affected "evidence implementation" (t = 2.164 ~ 7.241, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that the self-reported factors influencing competence varied across different dimensions of EBNP. Information literacy emerges as a key factor across all dimensions of EBNP competence.