Addressing the current challenges of adopting evidence-based practice in nursing

Evidence-based practice aims to promote best practice and enhance clinical effectiveness and quality of care.   Although evidence-based practice is a relatively new concept in healthcare, there has been a global movement and recognition of the need to adopt this approach in practice.  Despite the national agenda for evidence-based practice being at the forefront of healthcare, it is argued there is low implementation of this approach in healthcare settings.   

The aim of this paper is to explore and address the current challenges of adopting evidence-based practice into care delivery in the context of the Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Council  (NMC, 2018).  An action-focused approach to overcoming the challenges to embedding evidence-based practice in care delivery is outlined which addresses the registrants professional responsibilities, the role of the employing healthcare organisation, and the contribution of the academic institution.