# Predicting the adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) based on critical thinking levels among nursing students

## TL;DR

The study shows that nursing students with higher critical thinking skills are more likely to adopt evidence-based practices, suggesting that education should focus on developing these skills.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that critical thinking explains nearly half of the variance in evidence-based practice adoption among nursing students.

## Key findings

- Critical thinking explained 45.6% of the variance in evidence-based practice adoption.
- A strong positive correlation (r = 0.677) was found between critical thinking and EBP adoption.
- The study recommends emphasizing critical thinking in nursing education to improve EBP adoption.

## Abstract

This study aimed to predict the adoption of EBP based on critical thinking levels among nursing students.

As future healthcare providers, nursing students must acquire essential skills and competencies to transition into clinical practice effectively. Critical thinking and EBP are two influential components that play a pivotal role in this process.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 nursing students. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included a demographic information checklist, an EBP questionnaire, and a critical thinking questionnaire.

A total of 300 students participated in the study, of whom 51.7% were male. The mean age of participants was 22.41 ± 2.01 years, and their average GPA was 16.39 ± 1.17. The mean scores for EBP adoption and critical thinking were 35.48 ± 7.69 (out of 50) and 119.30 ± 23.28 (out of 165), respectively. A strong positive and significant correlation was found between EBP adoption and critical thinking (r = 0.677, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis indicated that critical thinking explained 45.6% of the variance in EBP adoption (F = 251.90, p < 0.001).

The findings underscore that nearly half of the variance in EBP adoption is explained by critical thinking, suggesting the need to prioritize critical thinking development in educational curricula.

The findings suggest that critical thinking can significantly predict EBP adoption among nursing students, explaining 45.6% of the variance. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing education programs emphasize enhancing critical thinking skills to better prepare students for EBP.