Evidence-Based Practice: Comparison and Continuing Education Needs of Internationally Educated Hospital-Based Nurses (IENs) and Home Healthcare Nurses (HHNs) in the United States

Written by Linda M. Thiel, Arthur Ko, & Jill A. Turner

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr

Abstract

Background: Understanding nurses’ attitudes and engagement in evidence-based practice (EBP) is a crucial step in identifying the type of training and support needed by frontline nurses when planning and implementing EBP education in actual practice settings.

Objectives: This study explored the similarities and differences between the home healthcare nurses (HHNs) and internationally educated hospital-based nurses (IENs) that participated in two previous studies.

Methods: In this comparative analysis, there were 173 nurses (HHNs, n = 78; IENs, n = 95) included. The two previously reported studies had similar research designs, sampling plans, and metrics to assess EBP attitudes of nurses. One study focused on hospital-based IENs; the other study focused on HHNs. Both studies used the Nurses Attitudes Toward EBP Scale (NATES).

Results: IENs and HHNs have a positive attitude towards EBP. Both groups report low EBP engagement; however, HHNs reported lower level of engagement than IENs.

Conclusions: This analysis contributes to the body of nursing knowledge surrounding evidence-based practice, as it confirms findings from other studies highlighting positive EBP attitudes and limited EBP engagement. All nurses, including IENs and HHNs, need to be provided opportunities to undergo structured EBP training and involvement in EBP committees and activities.

Keywords: Evidence-based practice, internationally educated RNs, home healthcare nurses, comparative analysis