Evidence-based nursing (EBN) is a practice that is focused on using the best available evidence to inform clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. It involves the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values to inform decision-making in nursing practice. Evidence-based nursing is a systematic approach to healthcare that is based on the principles of evidence-based medicine.

The process of evidence-based nursing involves several steps. First, the nurse identifies a clinical question or problem that needs to be addressed. This may be a question about a particular patient or a more general question about a particular disease or condition. The nurse then searches the available research literature to find the best available evidence to answer the question. This may involve searching online databases, such as PubMed or CINAHL, or consulting with experts in the field.

Once the nurse has identified the best available evidence, they must critically appraise the quality of the evidence and its relevance to the clinical question. This involves evaluating the study design, sample size, and statistical analysis, among other factors. The nurse then integrates the evidence with their own clinical expertise and the patient’s preferences and values to make an informed decision about the best course of action.

One of the key benefits of evidence-based nursing is that it helps to ensure that healthcare practices are based on the best available evidence. This can lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Evidence-based nursing also promotes a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the nursing profession, as nurses are encouraged to continually evaluate their practices and update their knowledge.