Evidence-based nursing practice: comparative analysis of professional competences of nursing staff in selected Polish voivodeships – preliminary study

Introduction
Modern, professional nursing is moving away from the traditional nursing model, focusing on evidence-based interventions (EBP). The practical use of scientific research results in professional work which translates positively into an increase in the quality of nursing care provided.

Aim of the research
Comparative analysis of professional competences of nursing staff in relation to practice based on scientific evidence in the Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, and Swietokrzyskie voivodeships.

Material and methods
A total of 173 professionally active nurses working in the Mazowieckie (n = 62, 36%), Lubelskie (n = 56, 32%), and Swietokrzyskie (n = 55, 32%) voivodeships took part in a voluntary and anonymous online survey. The following research tools were used: the Standardised Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire and the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale. The research was conducted in accordance with the descriptive statistics methodology.

Results
It was found that 71% of nurses were aware of the existence of practice based on scientific evidence, and the same number of respondents claimed that EBP is a modern model of practicing the nursing profession. As many as 90% of respondents intended to expand their knowledge about the idea of EBP. Only 9% of nurses declared that they would not develop professional competences based on scientific literature. For more than half (55%) of nurses, lack of time was the main barrier limiting the use of EBP principles in their professional work.

Conclusions
We can conclude the following: 1) a higher level of professional competence obtained by nursing staff directly translates into the degree of practical use of EBP, 2) evidence-based nursing practice significantly improves quality in nursing. 3). Lack of time and workload limit the frequency of using EBP.