The knowledge of, and attitudes towards, evidence-based professional practice among nurses

Introduction
Meeting the highest standards of nursing care requires high professionalism and thus continuous education, as well as the use of scientific evidence in everyday professional practice. Currently, it is believed that the process of education and training of nursing staff has a significant impact on the subsequent use of scientific evidence in professional practice.

Aim of the study
The purpose of the research undertaken was to analyse the knowledge and skills of nursing staff related to the use of scientific evidence in everyday professional practice.

Material and methods
The study was carried out among nurses working in Westpomeranian Province, and full-time and part-time students in their second year of a second degree in nursing at the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey using the Polish language version (v.1.0) Evidence-Based Practice Profile (EBP2) Questionnaire.

Results
The education of professionally active nurses influences aspects related to evidence-based practice (EBP). The highest score in four subscales: knowledge and attitudes towards EBP, application of EBP in professional practice, knowledge of EBP concepts, frequency of using individual elements of EBP, was observed in the group with a bachelor’s degree, while the lowest was seen in the group with secondary medical education.

Conclusions
The level of education of the studied group has a positive effect on knowledge and the basis for EBP and knowledge of the concepts related to EBP. The respondents taking part in the chosen form of postgraduate education in the previous year showed greater knowledge about EBP and a positive attitude towards extending their own competences in the field of EBP.