Background

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is a core pillar of nursing education and an expectation in clinical practice. Students struggle to conceptualize the use of EBP into actual clinical practice despite the development of EBP competencies.

Aims

This study explored perceptions of EBP education and competence in baccalaureate students using Melnyk's (Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 11, 2014 and 5) EBP competencies for practicing registered nurses as a basis for comparison.

Methods

The researchers used a sequential, mixed‐methods design. A survey was developed to assess information sources and patterns of use, and semistructured interviews explored factors affecting students’ understanding of EBP and information‐seeking behaviors in the clinical setting.

Findings

There were 118 participants in the survey and 12 in follow‐up interviews. A major theme was that participants had difficulties distinguishing between EBP and research. Students were able to identify experiences that fostered attainment of basic EBP competencies, such as searching for evidence, but were less able to describe higher‐order activities such as integrating evidence to plan EBP changes or disseminating best practices.

Linking Evidence to Action

Clinical learning environments are an ideal place to apply and see EBP in action, but nurse educators cannot assume students arrive ready to apply EBP knowledge and skills to clinical practice. Nurse educators need evidence‐based tools to assess student EBP competence across a variety of settings. Research examining the generalizability of the EBP competencies in varying curricular models as well as didactic and clinical settings is needed.