Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice Mentor Training Program on Nurses Knowledge, Attitude, Skill and Confidence Level

Hart, Patricia

Purpose:
An essential element to advance and sustain evidence-based practice (EBP) is the availability of trained EBP mentors. The purpose was to determine the effects of an EBP mentor training program on mentors' knowledge, attitude, skill, and confidence levels related to research and EBP.

Relevance/Significance:
Implementation of EBP leads to improved quality of care and patient outcomes, lower hospital costs, and a safer practice environment. Despite the evidence supporting EBP, research findings have not been consistently translated into practice to improve patient outcomes. Researchers have cited nurses do not incorporate evidence into clinical practice due to lack of time, resources, support, knowledge, and skill level.

Strategy and Implementation:
A project plan was created which included project support, feedback, and ideas sought from shared governance, nursing leadership, and education department to prepare nurses to serve as hospital mentors. Phases I, II, and III included a combination of independent self-study, didactic instruction and discussion, and on line learning to prepare a foundation to support and foster EBP followed by Phase IV a joint endeavor between clinical nurses and nurse mentors to conduct, implement, and disseminate an EBP project. Measurements were taken at baseline and post-education. Sixty-six (N = 66) nurses participated in the study and served as hospital mentors.

Evaluation:
At baseline mentors' knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to EBP was 3.67 (SD = .43) and significantly higher post-training 4.20 (SD = .57); t (.05, 65) = -8.64, p = .000. Mentors' baseline confidence levels were 2.95 (SD = .94) and significantly higher post-training 3.82 (SD = .88); t (.05, 65) = -6.36, p = .000.

Implications for Practice:
Findings demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a significant improvement on nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level as well as nurses' confidence levels through targeted EBP mentor training. Nurse mentors' supports an environment of inquiry and engages nurses in EBP.