The Correlation of Nursing Informatics Competency and Demographic Characteristics With Evidence‐Based Practice Competency Among Palestinian Intensive Care Nurses in the West Bank

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the combination of clinical expertise, the best available research and individual patient preferences. It is a fundamental aspect of contemporary nursing, designed to enhance patient outcomes through thoughtful and informed clinical decision-making. The specific correlation between nursing informatics competency, demographic characteristics and EBP competency, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), remains largely unexplored in Palestine. AIM: This study aimed to assess the relationship between nursing informatics competency and EBP competency among ICU nurses in the West Bank. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design with a convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 250 nurses in intensive care units in 18 governmental hospitals across the West Bank during the period from April 10 to June 15. Data were collected using a self-reported survey consisting of the Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale (SANICS), the Evidence-Based Practice Competency Questionnaire and socio-demographic variables. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson and point-biserial correlations and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 227 participants responded and reported levels of moderate nursing informatics competency (M = 3.1, SD = 0.2) and moderately high evidence-based practice competency (M = 79.0, SD = 12.8). A strong positive correlation was found between EBP competency and nursing informatics competency (r = 0.890, p < 0.001) and the number of hours spent using EMRs/shift (r = 0.748, p < 0.001). A positive correlation existed between EBP competency and the number of research articles read monthly (r = 0.356, p < 0.001). Age (r = -0.456, p < 0.001) and years of nursing experience (r = -0.447, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with EBP competency. Additionally, previous EBP training (p.b.r = 0.482, p < 0.001) and holding higher education (p.b.r = 0.410, p < 0.001) were associated with EBP competency. Nursing informatics competency, number of articles read monthly, number of hours spent on EMR/shift, educational level and previous training in EBP were significant predictors of EBP. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the essential contribution of nursing informatics competency, ongoing professional growth and regular engagement with research to the development of EBP competency. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To further strengthen EBP capabilities among nurses, it is important to design initiatives that enhance informatics training, expand access to research materials and cultivate educational environments that promote evidence-based care.