Differences Between Magnet and Non-Magnet-Designated Hospitals in Nurses' Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge, Competencies, Mentoring, and Culture

• Published in: Worldviews on evidence-based nursing Vol. 17; no. 5; p. 337
• Main Authors: Melnyk, Bernadette Mazurek, Zellefrow, Cindy, Tan, Alai, Hsieh, Andreanna Pavan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2020
• Subjects: Accreditation - methods; Accreditation - standards; Accreditation - statistics & numerical data; Attitude of Health Personnel; Evidence-Based Practice - methods; Evidence-Based Practice - standards; Evidence-Based Practice - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Mentors - statistics & numerical data; Nurses - standards; Nurses - statistics & numerical data; Organizational Culture; Quality of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; nurse-patient relations/nurse patient relationship; administration/management/leadership/organization; evidence-based practice; mentorship; quality improvement/Quality of care/Quality of services; advanced practice/advanced nursing practice
• ISSN: 1741-6787
• DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12467

Obtaining Magnet recognition is important to hospitals as it has been linked to positive nursing and patient outcomes. Evidence-based practice (EBP) also has been shown to positively impact these same outcomes. However, the effect that Magnet designation has on different facets of EBP when compared to non-designated institutions is less understood. To determine the differences between Magnet-designated versus non-Magnet-designated hospitals on nurses' EBP knowledge, competency, mentoring, and culture. A secondary analysis was performed on data obtained from the Melnyk et al. (2018) national study of U.S. nurses' EBP competencies. 2,344 nurses completed the survey (n = 1,622 Magnet and n = 638 non-Magnet). Magnet-designated hospital nurses had higher scores in EBP knowledge (mean ± SD: 19.9 ± 6.8 vs. 19.1 ± 7.0, Cohen's d = 0.12), mentoring (22.6 ± 11.1 vs. 18.6 ± 10.1, d = 0.38), and culture (82.9 ± 21.8 vs. 74.1 ± 21.3, d = 0.41). There was no difference between the two groups in EBP competency scores (53.8 ± 16.2 vs. 53.0 ± 15.9, d = 0.05), and average scores for the 24 EBP competency items were less than competent in both groups. Despite having higher knowledge, stronger perceived EBP cultures, and greater EBP mentoring than non-Magnet-designated nurses, Magnet nurses did not meet the EBP competencies. A tremendous need exists to provide nurses with the knowledge and skills to achieve the EBP competencies in both Magnet and non-Magnet-designated hospitals. A critical mass of EBP mentors who also meet the EBP competencies is needed to work with point-of-care nurses to ensure that EBP competency is achieved in order to ultimately ensure healthcare quality and safety. Rigorous studies are needed to determine which interventions at the academic and clinical education level result in improved EBP competency.