BACKGROUND: A study was conducted at Singapore's National University Hospital to elicit registered nurses' attitudes, knowledge, barriers, facilitating factors, education, and training regarding evidence-based practice. METHODS: A 13-question survey that was administered to all registered nurses yielded 1,114 (75.4%) usable returns for analysis. RESULTS: Findings showed that Singapore nurses had a positive and supportive attitude toward evidence-based practice but lacked the competence and knowledge to conduct it. Time constraints were identified as the main barrier to implementing evidence-based practice. There is a need for proper training, mentoring by senior nurses, and adequate time for evidence-based practice. Nurses with a higher level of nursing education who indicated the greatest perceived barriers tended to have less difficulty applying evidence-based practice but identified a need for more training in information skills. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based practice is still in its infancy in Singapore compared with hospitals in other developed countries.
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