Incorporating evidence-based practice education in nursing research curriculum of undergraduate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

Aim: To examine the effect of incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) in Nursing Research curriculum on undergraduate nursing students. Background: The competence of EBP is essential for nurses and it is an essential task for educators to implement EBP education in nursing students. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Based on Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome model, the study was conducted among 258 third-grade students of a four-year nursing bachelor's program between September through December 2022. The students were divided into two groups. Students in the intervention group received innovative teaching where EBP ele-ments were incorporated in Nursing Research course in a natural, gradual and spiral way, while students in the control group attended conventional teaching. Effect of EBP teaching was examined in terms of students' EBP competence, learning experience and satisfaction and score of team-based research protocol assignment. Results: Compared with conventional teaching, the innovative teaching characterized by EBP improved students' EBP competence in terms of attitudes and skills and enhanced student's comprehensive ability in nursing research. Students' learning experience and satisfaction were similarly favorable between the two groups. Conclusions: For undergraduate nursing students, the teaching strategy characterized by EBP is an appropriate and effective way to improve their EBP competence of attitudes and skills, as well as their nursing research ability.