The Effect of Critical Thinking Disposition, Communication Ability, and Nursing Professionalism on Evidence-Based Practice Competences of New Nurses

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Purpose : The purposes of this study were to examine the levels of critical thinking disposition, communication ability, and nursing professionalism, and to identify factors influencing evidence-based practice competency among new nurses. Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 135 new nurses who graduated after a 4-year course from the Department of nursing. Data analysis, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis, was performed using SPSS 23.0. Results : The variables affecting evidence-based practice competency were evidence-based practical education experience, critical thinking disposition, and nursing professionalism. The most influential factor on new nurses’ competency of evidence based practice was critical thinking disposition (β＝.32, p＝.001), followed by nursing professionalism (β＝.31, p＝.001) and evidence-based practical education experience (β＝.19, p＝.018) which together explained their competency of evidence based practice up to 26.0%. Conclusion : According to the results the introduction and activation of evidence based practice competency is essential for new nurses graduating from a 4-year college, and it is necessary to develop a systematic education program and create an organizational culture to strengthen critical thinking tendencies, nursing professionalism.